Islamabad, Dec 26 (PTI) The US embassy in Pakistan has warned about a possible terror threat against American citizens at the Marriott Hotel in the country's capital and prohibited American staff from visiting the five-star facility, an official statement said.

The Saudi Arabian embassy in Islamabad also issued a security advisory on Monday, instructing its citizens in Pakistan to restrict their movement.

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The advisories by the two key countries came in the wake of a suicide bombing on Friday in Islamabad that killed a policeman. It was the first such attack in the city since 2014.

In its statement issued on Sunday, the American embassy said that the US government is aware of information that unknown individuals are possibly plotting to attack Americans at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad sometime during the holidays.

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"Effective immediately, the Embassy in Islamabad is prohibiting all American staff from visiting Islamabad's Marriott Hotel," the statement said.

The embassy also directed that as Islamabad has been placed on a 'Red Alert' citing security concerns while banning all public gatherings, all mission personnel have been urged to refrain from non-essential and unofficial travel in the capital throughout the holiday season.

It asked the US nationals to exercise vigilance at events and places of worship, and avoid locations with large crowds while reviewing personal security plans.

At least 54 people were killed and several others injured when a dumper truck laden with explosives was detonated in front of the Marriott hotel in Islamabad's red zone area on September 20, 2008.

Meanwhile, the Saudi security alert advised the Saudis in Pakistan to “be cautious” and not venture out except for any necessity.

"Security of Islamabad has been placed at the highest level," the alert said, adding that Saudis should contact the embassy and consulate if the need arises.

The advisory comes after the latest attack in Islamabad and an uptick in countryside attacks by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror group.

The TTP has stepped up attacks on security forces since November, when they ended a months-long cease-fire with the Pakistan government.

One police officer and two suspected militants, including a woman of the dreaded Pakistani Taliban outfit, were killed in the suicide attack here on December 23, prompting authorities in Pakistan to issue a "red alert" across the federal capital.

According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based think-tank, it was the first suicide attack in the capital since 2014.

The country has seen 504 suicide attacks over the last 22 years. A total of 6,748 people were killed and 15,111 injured in these attacks.

According to national data, Pakistan has recorded 420 terrorist attacks since August 2021 when the Taliban took over Afghanistan. In the last three months alone, the TTP has claimed responsibility for 141 attacks.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)