Pakistan: UK, US warn of heightened terror risk in Lahore July 10

Event

On Monday, July 10, the governments of both the United Kingdom and United States warned of a heightened threat of terrorism in Lahore for the immediate future. According to local media, targets particularly vulnerable to a terrorist attack include government buildings and religious sites as well as areas popular with tourists, including hotels and shopping malls. The British High Commission staff in Lahore have been advised to avoid these locations and staff located elsewhere in the country have been advised to postpone travel to Lahore for the time being.

Context

Military officials reported that a major terrorist attack was prevented in Lahore on April 15. The week prior, security forces reported that ten Jamaat-ul-Ahrar militants were killed during an operation in Lahore on April 8. At least six people were killed and 19 others injured in a suicide bombing in Lahore on April 5.

Extremist Islamist groups continue to pose a threat throughout the country, carrying out attacks despite an army offensive launched in 2014 to push them out of their northwestern strongholds, located near the border with Afghanistan. Pakistan has suffered a number of deadly attacks in recent months in many areas of the country, including Quetta, the Tribal Areas, Peshawar, and Lahore.

Advice

Due to the significant terrorist threat, individuals present in Lahore and throughout Pakistan are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects or behavior.

As a reminder, some Western governments advise their citizens against nonessential travel to Lahore and all travel to much of the rest of the country. All trips should be organized with strict security protocols in place and the assistance of the Pakistani authorities.