• US embassy in Islamabad issued a security alert
• It prohibited all staff from visiting the Marriott Hotel
• The alert cited a “possible attack” at the hotel

The US embassy in Islamabad issued a security alert and prohibited its staff from visiting the Marriott Hotel due to concerns of a “possible attack”.

“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,” it said in an alert.

The US Embassy in Islamabad prohibited all American staff from visiting Islamabad’s Marriott Hotel “effective immediately”.

The embassy also urged all its personnel to refrain from “non-essential, unofficial travel in Islamabad throughout the holiday season” due to the red alert declared in the city and the ban on public gatherings.

The embassy advised its staff to exercise vigilance at events, places of worship, and avoid locations with large crowds.

It advised to review personal security plans, carry identification and follow requests from law enforcement, remain aware of their surroundings, and monitor local media for updates.

The security alert comes days after a suicide bombing killed a policeman and wounded six others. Authorities have imposed Section 144 in the federal capital and banned all types of gatherings.

In 2008, 60 people were killed when a suicide bomber rammed a truck packed with 600 kilogrammes of high explosives into the outer gates of the Marriott Hotel.  The attack destroyed part of the hotel which was shut down for several months.

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