US issued Level-2 travel advisory for Bangladesh

United States issued a ‘Level 2’ travel advisory for Bangladesh, urged their citizens to exercise caution while travelling to the country.

They also issued 'level 3' travel agency for to Chittagong Hill Tracts Region “due to occasional communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security risks".

The US Department of State said it in a statement on Thursday (12 October).

In that statement, US said, “Travelers should be aware of petty crimes such as pickpocketing in crowded areas. Crimes such as muggings, burglaries, assaults, and illegal drug trafficking constitute the majority of criminal activity in Bangladesh's major cities, but there are no indications foreigners are being targeted because of their nationality. These crimes tend to be situational, based on time and location.

Terrorist attacks can happen with little or no warning, with terrorists targeting public areas such as tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, restaurants, places of worship, school campuses, and government facilities."

It also said, "The next general election is anticipated to occur before January 2024, and political party rallies and other election-related activities have already commenced. Political rallies and demonstrations may be held with increasing frequency or intensity as the general election draws nearer. Travelers to Bangladesh should practice vigilance and remember that demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence."