Security personnel stand guard outside the U.S. consulate in Lahore, Pakistan. (Getty Images)
The United States has ordered all non-emergency government personnel to evacuate from the U.S. consulate in Lahore, Pakistan following a “credible threat,” reports BBC News.
Non-essential personnel told to leave US consulate-general in Lahore, Pakistan, after "credible threat" http://t.co/GAM8ElaeQ8
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“We are undertaking this drawdown due to concerns about credible threat information specific to the U.S. Consulate in Lahore,” a senior State Department official said.
The State Department also issued a travel warning advising against all non-essential travel to Pakistan.
“The presence of several foreign and indigenous terrorist groups poses a potential danger to U.S. citizens throughout Pakistan,” the warning states. “Across the country, terrorist attacks frequently occur against civilian, government, and foreign targets. Attacks have included armed assaults on heavily guarded sites, including Pakistani military installations. The Government of Pakistan maintains heightened security measures, particularly in the major cities. Threat reporting indicates terrorist groups continue to seek opportunities to attack locations where U.S. citizens and Westerners are known to congregate or visit.”
The evacuated personnel were moved to Islamabad, the nation’s capital, officials said.
It is unclear whether or not the current threat is related to the recent closing of 19 U.S. embassies in the Middle East and Africa this week in response to a threat of a terrorist attack.
