(Image source from: US Embassy and Consulate in Egypt - USEmbassy.gov)

Months after the deadly terror attack at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, the United States has advised its citizens to reconsider their travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and asked them not to travel to restive Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), identified as the most dangerous areas due to terror attacks.

Several parts of the country including Balochistan, KPK province, PoK and India-Pakistan border, have been placed in the most dangerous "Level Four" category, in which U.S. citizens are asked not to travel due to high-risk areas.

In addition, Pakistan, in general, has been placed in the "Level Three" category in the latest travel advisory issued by the U.S. on Monday.

"Due to risks to civil aviation operating within or near Pakistan, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR), the State Department said in the travel advisory.

The U.S. State Department claimed that terror groups continue plotting possible attacks in Pakistan and may attack with little or no warning, targeting transportation hubs, schools, markets, military installations, shopping malls, universities, tourist locations, airports, hospitals, places of worship and government facilities.

"Terrorists have targeted U.S. diplomats and diplomatic facilities in the past, and information suggests they continue to do so," it said.

Terrorist attacks continue to happen across Pakistan, with most occurring in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Large-scale terrorist attacks have resulted in hundreds of casualties, it said.

Do not travel to Balochistan province, the State Department said, adding that active terrorist groups, an active separatist movement, sectarian conflicts and deadly terrorist attacks against civilians, security forces, and government offices destabilize the province.

Similarly, in the PoK, it warned that militant groups are known to operate in the area and the threat of armed conflict between India and Pakistan remains. "Indian and Pakistani military forces periodically exchange gun and artillery fire across the Line of Control (LoC), it said.

Do not travel to KPK province, which includes the former FATA, the advisory added.

By Sowmya Sangam