Australia warns of terrorist attacks in Pakistan
AUSTRALIA: Australia warned Tuesday of the very high threat of
terrorist attacks against Western targets in Pakistan following the
killing of Osama bin Laden, although security warning levels at home
remain unchanged.
The Al-Qaeda chief was killed in a strike by United States forces on
a mansion in the Pakistan city of Abbottabad on Sunday.
“There is a very high threat of terrorist attack against places in
Pakistan that are frequented by Australians and other Westerners,” the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in an updated travel
advisory.
“We continue to receive a stream of credible reports indicating
terrorists are in the advanced stages of planning attacks, including in
Pakistani cities.”
Possible targets ranged from the Australian embassy through to
hotels, restaurants and universities.
“These attacks could include Western or Australian interests and
occur at any time, anywhere in Pakistan,” the advisory said.
Washington issued a worldwide travel alert warning on Monday about
the enhanced potential for violence to avenge bin Laden’s death.
While vigilant, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Canberra had not
seen the need to upgrade its own terror warnings — now at medium, two
levels below the highest rating.
“But our security agencies continue to make all of the appropriate
plans and preparations that they always do to keep us as safe as
possible,” she told Sky News.
In a separate interview with ABC television, Gillard said it was
obvious bin Laden had a support network in Pakistan helping to conceal
his whereabouts.
“Clearly to be able to be there he must have had some support
mechanisms — absolutely,” she said, adding that she was surprised to
learn about his whereabouts.
“The rumours tended to be that he was hiding out in mountain
locations not in a populated area, very close to Pakistan’s capital.”
Australia is a long-standing ally of the United States and a staunch
supporter of the “war on terror”. It has been involved in Afghanistan
since late 2001 and currently has some 1,550 troops on the ground.
Sydney, Tuesday, AFP
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