In-focus

Killing of Osama puts US embassies on high alert

Dunya News

A message from the State Department has put US embassies on high alert against al Qaeda attacks.

Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed by US special forces in a mansion in Abbttabad, Pakistan.There was a worldwide travel alert declared after the announcement by Barack Obama on the night of the death of bin Laden. The State Department said that there was an: “Enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counter-terrorism activity in Pakistan.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 to avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations.”The alert indicated that operations of embassies would go on: “To the extent possible under the constraints of any evolving security situation operations of embassies would continue.”There may be temporary closings or suspension of public services, of the embassies and consulates, depending on how the situation unfolds.WikiLeaks had published a report on April 25, which said a senior al Qaeda member, Sheikh Muhammad, detained in Guantanamo Bay, claimed that al Qaeda could launch an atomic attack on Europe, in case of bin Laden’s capturing or killing.According to the leak files of Guantanamo Detention Centre, al Qaeda had attained nuclear bomb detonator and would attack Europe, if bin Laden were captured or killed.