"Reconsider travel to Bangladesh": US cites terrorism, crime and unrest in new advisory

The United States has issued a fresh travel advisory for Bangladesh, warning its citizens to reconsider their travel plans due to ongoing risks of civil unrest, crime, and terrorism. The advisory, updated on April 18 by the US Department of State, categorizes Bangladesh under "Level 3: Reconsider Travel" and the Chittagong Hill Tracts region under "Level 4: Do Not Travel."

The Chittagong Hill Tracts, comprising Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban districts, have been flagged as extremely dangerous zones. According to the advisory, the region faces persistent threats of communal violence, terrorism, kidnapping, and other serious security risks, including incidents involving IEDs and shootings.

The heightened alert comes in the aftermath of major political upheaval in Bangladesh following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The transition of power, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as interim leader, has eased large-scale violence, but sporadic protests and communal tensions continue to plague the country.

Highlighting the danger, the advisory stated that kidnappings, often linked to familial disputes or targeting religious minorities, remain a serious concern in remote regions. The presence of separatist groups and instances of political violence have further contributed to the insecurity, especially outside urban centers.

Beyond the Chittagong Hill Tracts, major cities including Dhaka are not exempt from safety concerns. The advisory warns of potential terrorist activities, muggings, burglaries, assaults, and drug trafficking. Consequently, the US government has restricted non-essential travel for its employees outside of Dhaka’s diplomatic enclave and mandated special approvals for any movement beyond the capital.

US citizens traveling to Bangladesh are urged to avoid all political gatherings, monitor local developments, have contingency plans in place, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for real-time alerts. The advisory stresses that emergency support, especially outside Dhaka, may be limited due to local infrastructure challenges.