US asks its citizens to restrict movement in Bangladesh

The United States has also advised its nationals to limit movement in Bangladesh following security threats to ‘Australian and western interests’.

"Such attacks, should they occur, could likely affect other foreigners, including US citizens," the US embassy in an alert update told its citizens on Monday.
 
Australia first expressed security concerns in Dhaka on Friday following which its cricket team decided to delay its Bangladesh tour.
 
The UK and the US have followed suit though Bangladesh government says they do not have any such information.
 
However, an Italian national was gunned down on Monday evening at the heart of the diplomatic enclave in Gulshan amid their concerns.
 
Radical Islamist militant group Islamic State has reportedly claimed the responsibility for the murder.
 
The US security message said the country ‘received information’ that terrorist groups in the South Asian countries including Bangladesh ‘may be planning attacks in the region, possibly against US government facilities, US citizens, or US interests’.
 
‘In light of the increased threat’, it prohibited all official US personnel from attending large gatherings in Bangladesh, including events at international hotels without Regional Security Office’s permission until further notice.
 
“US citizens should maintain a high level of vigilance and situational awareness and should exercise caution in public places including restaurants, hotels and other places frequented by foreigners,” the warning said.
 
The UK in a foreign travel advice on Monday also claimed it had ‘reliable’ information that militants might target ‘western interests’ in Bangladesh.
 
It also advised its officials “to limit attendance at events where westerners may gather”.  
Their warning came after Cricket Australia (CA) decided to delay its cricket team’s departure to Bangladesh over similar security concerns.
 
“There is reliable information to suggest that militants may be planning to target Australian interests in Bangladesh,” Australia’s Department Foreign Affairs and Trade had said which prompted the Australian cricket team to take the decision.
 
However, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and law-enforcing agencies tried to allay security concerns of CA when its head of security met them on Monday.
 
The home minister and Bangladesh Cricket Board assured CA of providing their players with VVIP security, but the matter is yet to be resolved.​