U.S. strengthens Pakistan travel warning

Security is tight at Islamabad's Christian facilities

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Citing attacks on Christian targets in Pakistan and concern that Americans could be targeted, the U.S. State Department has strengthened a warning already in place for Americans traveling in the country.

"Several recent attacks on Christian facilities indicate that they are being targeted by terrorists," the warning said.

The advisory cited the August 5 attack on a Christian missionary school in Murree and an attack four days later on a Christian hospital in Taxila, which killed four people and wounded as many as 20 others.

It also noted the March 17 attack on a church service in Islamabad, in which two Americans were killed, and the shooting attack last October on a Christian church in the eastern city of Bahawalpur, which killed 17 people, as further evidence of the peril.

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The warning noted the possibility of retaliation against Americans for the conviction last month of four people for the kidnapping and murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.

"The possibility of other threats to Americans, Christian facilities and other civilian targets continues," the warning said.

Vulnerable targets

Last Monday, the U.S. consulate in Karachi closed its public operations "indefinitely" due to security concerns. In June, a number of Pakistanis who were near the consulate building died when a car bomb exploded there.

"There is a growing possibility that, as security is increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists and their sympathizers will seek more vulnerable targets," the advisory warned.

"These may include facilities where Americans are generally known to congregate or visit, such as clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, or outdoor recreation events."

Although the warning said that the Pakistani government "continues to give full support to the international campaign against terrorism," it noted that some al-Qaeda members have fled Afghanistan to Pakistan as a result of the U.S. military campaign.

"This, coupled with the presence of indigenous sectarian and militant groups in Pakistan, requires that all Americans in or traveling through Pakistan take appropriate security measures," it said.

"Events in the Middle East also increase the possibility of violence."

The warning noted that tension between India and Pakistan has subsided recently, but cautioned thousands of troops remain along the Line of Control.

"The risk of renewed tension cannot be totally ruled out," it said.

In March, the State Department ordered the departure from Pakistan of all non-emergency personnel and the families of U.S. employees.