US warns Americans against retaliatory violence

The US State Department Monday warned Americans travelling and living abroad that there could be anti-American violence as retaliation for the killing of the world's most wanted terrorist Osama bin Laden in Pakistan's Abbottabad city.

"The US Department of State alerts US citizens travelling and residing abroad to the enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counter-terrorism activity in Pakistan," said a statement issued here.

American military and CIA operatives finally cornered the Al Qaeda leader in Abbottabad, just 50 km northeast of Pakistan's capital Islamabad, ending a 10-year manhunt that intensified with the traumatic Sep 11, 2001, terror attack on the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon.

"Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, US citizens in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations," said the State Department travel alert.

It also asked US citizens to remain current with media coverage and to be aware of their surroundings.

It further added that US government facilities would remain at "heightened state of alert", but noted that some of them may temporarily close periodically suspend public services "to assess their security posture".