Australia issues fresh travel advisory after Delhi shooting

NEW DELHI - A day after two foreign tourists were injured in firing near Jama Masjid in Old Delhi, Australia Monday issued a fresh travel advisory to its citizens travelling to India for the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games and asked them to “exercise a high degree of caution” in the country.

“We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in India at this time because of the high risk of terrorist activity by militant groups,” the advisory said.

“We also continue to receive reports about possible terrorist attacks against markets frequented by foreigners in New Delhi,” it added.

It also warned that Australians in New Delhi should be aware that the Commonwealth Games would be held in a security environment where there is a high risk of terrorism.

Hours after the shooting in Jama Masjid Sunday, the US too had issued fresh security advisory to its citizens in India.

Taiwanese nationals Ko Chang and Ku Ze Wei, both in their 20s, were shot in the head and stomach respectively when the gunmen fired at a bus from which a group of tourists was alighting, police and eyewitnesses said.

The shooting, two weeks before the Games begin Oct 3, has renewed public scrutiny for security arrangements for the biggest sporting event Delhi will host since the 1982 Asian Games.

Last week, top Indian officials, including Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, briefed ambassadors from Commonwealth countries and allayed their concerns over security for the mega sporting event.