The Indian government has directed all states to boost security at vital installations and crowded places, with special attention to the cities of New Delhi, Indore in Madhya Pradesh, and Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, in the wake of the Pune bombing on Feb. 13 as they claim to have specific intelligence of a possible terrorist strike in these three cities. A rash of security scares is possible throughout India. Multiple terrorism warnings and bomb threats are also possible. Nine people, including two foreigners, died and 60 others suffered injuries in a bombing at the German Bakery restaurant near Koregaon Park in Pune at 1915 Feb. 13. The bombing was the first major terrorist strike in India after the November 2008 attacks in Mumbai. This incident, like the coordinated attacks in Mumbai, targeted an area frequented by foreigners, illustrating the risk of expatriates becoming victims of terrorism. No one has claimed the attack, but investigators suspect a homegrown extremist group, the Indian Mujahideen (IM), which had claimed responsibility for a series of sophisticated and deadly bombings in 2007 and 2008. Indian agencies are also investigating the possible involvement of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant group; LeT operatives had reportedly scouted the Koregaon Park area near the blast site previously. The timing of the latest attack is significant since it occurred a day after India and Pakistan agreed to a meeting between their foreign secretaries on Feb. 25. Confirmation of involvement by Pakistan-based groups or individuals could derail peace talks between Islamabad and New Delhi. Indian and foreign agencies continue to warn that terrorist outfits are engaged in plotting attacks against India in an attempt to not only escalate tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors and provoke a military response from New Delhi, but also to divert Islamabad's ongoing counterinsurgency offensive against Taliban militants in the Waziristan region. Maintain heightened situational awareness and a low profile. Do not disturb any unknown package or bag; instead report suspicious items to the nearest police officer. Limit exposure to crowded commercial areas, ground transport hubs, and major religious sites, especially in New Delhi, Kanpur and Indore while threat conditions are perceived to be higher. Select internationally recognized hotel brands that have stricter on-site security measures. Anticipate travel delays due to enhanced security measures. Be prepared for identification checks at all times. Our Corporate Travel Specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you need immediate assistance and your company has a designated Egencia Travel phone number, please call that number directly. If you do not have a designated number, in the U.S. please call us at 1-866-397-2677 or 1-702-939-2530. When traveling outside the U.S., please refer to the following, use the following local international customer service numbers. You can also reach us via e-mail by using our "support and feedback" form. Help and guidance resources are readily available in our Egencia Travel Support Center.

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