Important Security Information for American Citizens in Nepal

February 15, 2006

This warden message is being issued to alert American citizens to increased Maoist violence around the Kathmandu Valley as well as increased anti-U.S. rhetoric.  American citizens are urged to exercise special caution and should be particularly vigilant about their personal safety.

On February 13, 2006, suspected Maoists exploded a bomb in a garbage can in Ratna Park and near a municipal government office in Bhaktapur.  These attacks are reminiscent of past Maoist attacks, when Maoist urban tactics included attacks on government security forces and facilities, indiscriminant bombings using improvised explosive devices, and assassination attempts against government officials.  The random, unpredictable nature of such attacks creates the risk of Americans being in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

For further information about security conditions in Nepal, American citizens are encouraged to refer to the Consular Information Sheet for Nepal and the current Travel Warning for Nepal.  American citizens are also encouraged to refer to the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement for additional travel safety and security information.  These documents are available on the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ home page at http://travel.state.gov and the American Embassy in Nepal's home page at http://nepal.usembassy.gov.  The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs maintains an information line at 1-888-407-4747 toll free or, outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at (202) 501-4444, Monday through Friday (excluding U.S. Government holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.   Specific information may also be obtained by calling the Embassy (at 977-1-444-5577 during working hours and at 977-1-441-1179 during evenings and weekends) and asking for the American Citizens Services unit of the Consular Section.  In the event of a communications blackout, security information will be left at all of the major hotels in Kathmandu.