US issues travel alert for Bangladesh over terrorism fears

The US State Department issued a travel alert on Tuesday for Bangladesh, saying there's reliable information that terrorist attacks could occur against foreigners in the traditionally moderate South Asian country.

Bangladesh has been rocked by a series of attacks this year claimed by Daesh militants, including killings of secular bloggers and of Italian aid worker and a Japanese agricultural worker.

The US alert says there's ongoing potential for extremist violence, including against large gatherings of foreigners. The State Department declined to provide more information on the nature of the terrorist threat, saying it does not comment on intelligence matters.

The alert notice says strict restrictions have been imposed on movements of US government officials and their families, prohibiting them from most public places and from attending large gatherings, including events at international hotels. It urges other US citizens in Bangladesh to take similar precautions.

Photo Caption: Bangladeshi security personnel stand guard after a small bomb exploded outside Bangladesh capital's main Shia religious site in Dhaka on October 24, 2015