Asia and Oceania

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• On October 28 2009, suicide bombers attacked a UN guesthouse in Kabul, killing a number of people, including five UN workers.
  
  
• Also on October 28 2009, insurgents fired a number of rockets into Kabul City, with reports of impacts within the Serena Hotel compound and within the grounds of the Presidential Palace. No casualties were reported.
  
  
• There is a heightened threat of roadside bombs and ambush in Kabul City.
  
  
• UK subjects are advised to register with the British Embassy (using LOCATE) on arrival in Afghanistan. They will then benefit from further advice from time to time. For details on how to register see http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/Locate.
  
  
• After a relatively quiet period, Kabul City has seen a spike in vehicle-borne suicide bomb attacks, with seven such attacks occurring since early September 2009. Five of these attacks were directed against ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) including an attack on the main ISAF Headquarters near Shash Darak, and against an Italian ISAF convoy on the Airport Road. There was also an attack against the Indian Embassy on the morning of 08 October 2009. This attack is estimated to have killed 17 people and wounded over 80.
  
  
• More recently there was a complex suicide attack against a guesthouse containing personnel from the UN, which occurred on 28 October 2009.  Four attackers (believed to have been Taliban) gained access to the guesthouse in the Shari Naw district of Kabul City, with the probable intent of taking hostages. The incident resulted in five UN international staff killed and a further nine wounded.
  
  
• It remains likely that AGE (Anti Governmental Elements) commanders will continue to attempt to carry out sporadic attacks inside Kabul City. Complex attacks, similar in nature to the UN incident on 28 October 2009 are considered likely.
  
  
• Additional vigilance and care should be taken, particularly in and around landmark locations and places where large public crowds can gather. Hotels used by the Government of Afghanistan, western nationals, international embassies and Ministries and military establishments have been attacked in the past and there is always the possibility that there may be further such attacks.
  
  
• Afghanistan has a high threat of terrorism and specific methods of attack are evolving and increasing in sophistication.
  
  
• No part of Afghanistan should be considered immune from violence and the potential exists throughout the country for hostile acts. Visitors travelling to Afghanistan do so at their own risk and without protection from HMG.
  
  
• You should maintain a heightened level of vigilance at all time, observing the strictest of security measures and avoid any unnecessary travel. Travellers should also consider making their own security arrangements for the duration of their time in Afghanistan.
  
  
• The kidnap threat throughout the country remains high, particularly against local nationals, but also against the international community.
  
  
• The threat of kidnap against the international community in Kabul City appears to have risen since early October 09.   Visitors to Kabul must avoid setting patterns in terms of their timings, routes and routines and must maintain vigilance and situational awareness at all times.
  
  
• H1N1 virus (Swine Flu). The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase is at Level 6. The WHO website has further details. For more general advice, check our swine flu page for further information.
  
  
• We advise the following travel restrictions according to provincial region:
  
  Kabul:
  
  
• We advise against all travel to the Surobi, Paghman, Musayhi and Chahar Asyab Districts of Kabul province.
  
  
• We advise against all but essential travel to Kabul.
  
  Northern Afghanistan:
  
  
• We advise against all travel to Kunduz and Baghlan-e Jadid District of Baghlan.
  
  
• We advise against all, but essential travel to Badakshan, Balkh, Baghlan, Faryab, Jawzjan, Samangan, Sari Pul and Takhar.
  
  Eastern Afghanistan:
  
  
• We advise against all travel to Ghazni, Kapisa Khost, Kunar, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Paktika, Wardak and Paktya.
  
  
• We advise against all but essential travel to Bamiyan, Parwan and Panjshir.
  

Southern Afghanistan:

• We advise against all travel to Helmand, Kandahar, Nimroz, Uruzgan and Zabul.
  

Western Afghanistan:

• We advise against all travel to Badghis, Farah and the Shindand and Gozarah Districts of Herat province.
  
  
• We advise against all, but essential travel to Dai Kundi, Ghor and Herat.
  
  
• The British Embassy in Kabul is able to offer only limited consular assistance and does not issue visas. Information of specific and urgent threats is circulated via the Warden network within Afghanistan. It is therefore important that you register with the British Embassy in Kabul on arrival. See the contact section of this advice page for more details.
  
  
• 19 British nationals required consular assistance in Afghanistan in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident: deaths (10 cases); hospitalisations (1 case); and arrests, for a variety of offences (6 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (17 cases).
  
  
• We recommend that comprehensive travel and medical insurance is obtained before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and our travel insurance page for more details.
  

Safety and security

• We advise against all travel to the Surobi, Paghman, Musayhi, Khak-e Jabbar and Chahar Asyab Districts of  Kabul province.
• We advise against all but essential travel to Kabul City itself and the remaining districts in the province.
  
  

There are regular, indiscriminate rocket and bomb attacks in the city and targeted attacks against NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) patrols and establishments. Reports continue to indicate that further attacks are likely, possibly by suicide bombers, against Western targets in central Kabul, along the Jalalabad Road, the Airport Road and the Wardak road and in the vicinity of Kabul airport. Hotels and other guest-houses where foreigners might stay will continue to be likely targets. There are specific threats against the major Ministry and Government buildings. There have been a number of attacks against Kabul International Airport and further attacks cannot be ruled out.

You should exercise extreme caution if you intend to use the Jalalabad and Airport roads and you should avoid travelling at night and between the hours of 7am and 9am if at all possible.

Recent significant attacks include:

• On 13 November 2009, a car bomb detonated against a US Military and Civilian contractor convoy leaving Camp Phoenix on the Jalalabad Road outside Kabul City. A number of local nationals were killed and over 20 ISAF soldiers and civilian contractors were wounded.

• On 28 October 2009, in the Shari Naw area, three terrorists attacked the BAKHTAR Guest House, an establishment being used by the UN to house some of its international KABUL staff. On gaining entry to the compound, at least one attacker appears to have detonated a BBIED and shots were fired. At the time, Taliban media outlets announced that their members were holding foreign hostages and went on to claim that this was the first incident in a campaign to counter the forthcoming second round of elections. The ensuing melee, including belated attempts to wrest control of the compound, concluded in the death of the three attackers, but also five UN international staff and at least two security guards working at the compound. Nine other UN staff were injured.

• On 28 October 2009, AGE fired at least three rockets in Kabul, reportedly from the hillside west of Bala Hissar.  One rocket is reported to have impacted within the enclosure of the Serena Hotel, and two rockets within the grounds of the Presidential Palace. A possible fourth rocket is purported to have landed in front of the Pushtuni BANK.

• On 23 and 24 October 2009, large demonstrations took place throughout Afghanistan, but particularly in Kabul City. Demonstrators were protesting about alleged ISAF desecration of a  Qur'an during an operation in WARDAK on 16 October.  In certain areas ANP fired on crowds and caused casualties.

• On 08 October 2009, the Indian Embassy (in the vicinity of the Ministry of Interior in the Shar-e-Naw district of Kabul City) was attacked by a vehicle borne suicide bomb. The attack killed approximately 17 people and wounded over 80. The bulk of those killed and wounded were street cleaners and Afghan civilians.

• On 17 September 2009, an Italian ISAF vehicle convoy was the target of a suicide vehicle bomb attack on the main airport road in Kabul City. As a result, six ISAF (Italian) soldiers were killed along with twelve civilians. Three Italian soldiers and approximately 30 civilians were also wounded.

• On 08 September 2009, a black Toyota Surf loaded with explosives followed two land cruisers into the check point at the Military Base at Kabul International Airport and detonated his device. The attack resulted in eight ISAF soldiers and five ISAF civilians wounded, four local nationals killed and a further 14 wounded.

• On 06 September 2009, two rockets were reportedly fired from northern Kabul into the City. One of the rockets struck a private residence resulting in the death of three family members. The second rocket impacted in an open area causing no casualties.
  

• On 18 August 2009, a suicide vehicle bomb struck an ISAF vehicle convoy consisting of two armoured Land Cruisers on the Bagram Road. As a result, one ISAF soldier, two UN staff members and seven local nationals were killed along with two ISAF soldiers and approximately 30 local nationals wounded.
  

• On 15 August 2009, a suicide vehicle bomb exploded at the entrance to HQ ISAF. The target was two civilian profile B6 armoured Toyota Land cruisers exiting the ISAF compound.

• On 04 August 2009, AGE fired eight rockets into the City from the Babashir Hill area to the north. One rocket impacted behind the hospital on the Wazir Akbar Khan road. One local child is reported to have been injured.

• On 20 May 2009, an IED detonated against a US military convoy travelling between Kabul and Bagram Airbase, around 20km north of the capital. One US soldier and one US contractor were killed and a further three US personnel were wounded in the blast.

• On 11 February 2009, Insurgents made simultaneous co-ordinated attacks on a number of Afghan Government targets in Kabul city, including the Prisons Directorate, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Education. More than 40 Afghan nationals were killed or injured in the attacks.

• On 17 January 2009, a car bomb was detonated near to the German Embassy in Kabul. At least 19 Afghan nationals were injured.

• On 3 November 2008 at 0930hrs, a male French NGO worker was abducted by armed men in Kabul. The armed men furthermore tried to abduct his colleague, also French, who managed to escape. Both worked for an NGO called AFRANE.

• On 7 July 2008, 28 people were killed and more than 141 others injured in a suicide lorry bomb explosion at the Indian embassy in the Shar-e-Naw district of Kabul. The dead included the Indian Embassy Defence Attache, as well as both Afghan civilian and military.

• On 27 April 2008, terrorists carried out an attack on a parade, attended by Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, commemorating Victory Day killing three people and injuring twelve others.

• On 14 January 2008, terrorists carried out an attack at the Serena Hotel. At least six people were killed and many more wounded. Foreign nationals were amongst the dead and the wounded.
  

Outside Kabul

For any trip to Afghanistan you should carefully consider not only your final destination, but your entry and exit points and any Provinces you might be travelling through. You should carefully consider how each leg of your trip affects the safety of your overall journey.

There have been a number of serious attacks on both Western and Afghan Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and on vehicles belonging to them, in which a number of people have been killed or injured. Most attacks continue to occur in the East and South of Afghanistan with a recent increase in activity in the central areas, but there have also been sporadic but serious incidents in other regions. A high threat from kidnapping to employees of NGOs and foreign companies throughout Afghanistan remains.

Northern Afghanistan

Provinces covered in this section are - Badakshan, Baghlan, Balkh, Faryab, Jawzjan, Kunduz, Samangan, Sari Pul and Takhar.

• We advise against all but essential travel to Badakshan, Balkh, Baghlan, Faryab, Jawzjan, Samagan, Sari Pul and Takhar.
  
• We advise against all travel to Kunduz and Baghram-e Jidad District of Baghlan.
  

There have been a number of attacks against aid workers and military vehicles resulting in fatalities and injuries.

Recent significant events have included the following:

• On 03 November 2009, AGE blew up a portion of gas pipeline that runs from Shiberghan to Mazar-e Sharif in the Arab Village of Chemtal District. Six metres of the pipeline were destroyed and gas flow stopped. Reportedly the act was ordered by the Taliban shadow governor of Balkh (Mullah Raz Mohammad).
  
• On 10 October 2009, in Kunduz City,  Kunduz Province an IED exploded  near the ANP HQ, one ANP officer was killed.
  
• On 19 September 2009, a suicide bomber in a car targeted an ISAF convoy in Pul-i-Khumri area of Baghlan province. The bomber was killed with only minor damage to the ISAF vehicle.
• On 09 September 2009, in Chahar Dara District, Kunduz province, ISAF forces and managed to free a journalist who had been kidnapped with his interpreter.  ISAF soldiers raided three residence compounds and managed to free the journalistThe interpreter and a female resident were killed during the operation.
  
• On 05 September 2009, a suicide vehicle struck a German ISAF vehicle on the main Kunduz – Khanabad road. Four German ISAF troops were injured.
• Also on 05 September 2009, 15 km east of Kunduz City, a Toyota Corolla loaded with explosives and parked on the roadside was detonated by remote control as a German ISAF convoy was passing. Four Soldiers were injured and their APC was damaged.
  
• On 03 September 2009 in Dashti Archi district, Kunduz province, a German ISAF patrol was attacked by anti-government elements (AGE) with SAF and RPG. As a result two ISAF German soldiers were wounded and three vehicles damaged.
• On 20 August 2009, a number of rocket attacks (IDF), small arms fire (SAF) and RPG attacks were reportedly carried out by AGE with the intention of disrupting the election process.
• On 19 August 2009, AGE fired one rocket into Ghormach District centre, Faryab province, which impacted in an ANP compound. Six ANP officers were killed and the District Chief of Police (CoP) was injured.
• On 12 August 2009, AGE attacked the Kunduz Provincial CoP with SAF and RPGs as he was travelling in a vehicle convoy. As a result, six ANP officers were killed and a further five injured. Three ANP ranger vehicles were also destroyed.
• On 01 August 2009, an RCIED detonated targeting the NDS Chief for Baghlan province. As a result, the NDS chief and two ANP officers were killed and one injured.
  
• On 06 July 2009 in Kunduz, an ISAF patrol was struck by an IED that had been placed under a culvert. Four ISAF police mentors (US) were killed in the attack.
• On 29 June 2009 in Baghlan, a group of 30 – 50 AGE attacked a joint ANP and NDS patrol with SAF and RPGs. Five ANP officers were killed and a further six ANP, including the district Chief of Police, were wounded.
• On 06 May 2009 in Baghlan, two gunmen on a motorbike ambushed a vehicle carrying the District Governor, NDS Chief, district attorney and the son of the governor. All four occupants were killed in the attack.
• On 29 April 2009, AGE attacked an ISAF patrol in Kunduz with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Two vehicles were destroyed and one German soldier was killed in the attack.
  
• Also on 29 April 2009, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives packed vehicle against a passing ISAF convoy in Kunduz province. Five German soldiers and four local national bystanders were wounded in the blast.
• On 6 November 2007, a suicide bomber detonated himself during an opening ceremony at a sugar mill in Baghlan. Over 50 people were killed, including six politicians and a large number of children.
  

• We advise against all travel to Ghazni, Kapisa, Khost, Kunar, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Paktika, Wardak and Paktya.
  
• We advise against all but essential travel to Bamiyan and Parwan.
  

The eastern region has become extremely volatile in recent months, with almost daily suicide and roadside bomb attacks, shootings and rocket attacks. The region close to the Pakistani border is extremely dangerous with a high number of insurgents operating freely.

There are regular, large military operations in this region. There have numerous daily attacks against the Security Forces (ANSF) and US-led coalition forces throughout East of Afghanistan.  There are also daily incidents of Improvised Explosive Device (IED), suicide and rocket attacks and direct fire attacks on security forces patrols, checkpoints and bases as well as on the local population.  

Recent significant incidents have included the following:

• On 16 October 2009, in Bahram-e Shahid District, Ghazni  Province.  An IED attack against an ISAF vehicle patrol resulted  in two (US) ISAF KIA, two (US) ISAF WIA and one Afghan Civilian injured.
• On 07 October 2009, in Behsud District, Nangarhar Province.  AGE fired two rockets at Jalalabad Airport, no casualties reported.
• On 24 September 2009, an ISAF vehicle patrol in Mano Gai District, Kunar Province, was struck by an IED followed by SAF, RPGs and then a second IED strike. As a result, four ISAF (US) soldiers were wounded.
• On 11 August 2009, an ISAF patrol in Alingar District, Laghman province, struck an IED. As a result, three ISAF (US) soldiers were killed.
• On 21 July 2009, AGE conducted a co-ordinated series of complex attacks in Gardez City, Paktia province, using small arms fire, RPGs and suicide vests. Three NDS and two ANP officers were killed and three ANP officers, three NDS officers and one civilian were wounded.
• On 25 July 2009, AGE conducted a co-ordinated series of complex attacks in Khost City, Khost province, against the Provincial court, the District Attorney’s office, a government guesthouse and an ANSF military barracks in Khost City. The insurgents used a car packed with explosives at the main gate and then a further three suicide bombers entered the government building while several insurgents fired shots from a building outside.
• On 30 June 2009, a suicide bomber in the Torkham border crossing point in Nangahar province detonated himself near a female search bay. The bomber had been taken into the search bay while attempting to enter the country from Pakistan. One ABP female searcher was killed and at least 10 others - four ABP and six local nationals - were wounded in the blast.
• On 27 May 2009, a suicide bomber in Zabul detonated his explosive packed vehicle against a passing OEF patrol. Four OEF soldiers (US) were wounded and four local nationals were killed in the blast.
• On 12 May 2009, a number of AGE launched simultaneous attacks on the Governor’s compound and the provincial ANP HQ in Khost City. At least one suicide bomber attempted to breach the Governor’s compound, before detonating his explosive vest and further attacks with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades followed. A further three suicide bombers were killed and a vehicle packed with explosives was seized. Security forces surrounded the building and the siege eventually ended with at least six security forces and local national fatalities, and ten wounded persons, including the deputy governor.
  
  

• We advise against all travel to Badghis, Farah and the Shindand and Gozarah Districts of Herat province.
• We advise against all but essential travel to Dai Kundi, Ghor and Herat.

The security situation in Western Afghanistan has become worse in recent months. There have been roadside and suicide attacks, rocket attacks and criminal kidnapping throughout these provinces and increased lawlessness in Western Ghor. There is little security infrastructure in Dai Kundi and Westerners have been kidnapped there.

Recent significant events have included the following:

• On 26 October 2009, a large crowd of citizens demonstrated against the alleged burning of a Qur’an by ISAF in Wardak Province on 16 October 2009.
• On 16 October 2009, in the Bala Boluk District of Farah Province, an  IED strike on an  ANP vehicle patrol wounded three policemen.
  
• On 27 September 2009 the Minister for water and Energy for Herat was the target of a suicide vehicle bomb. As a result, four local civilians were killed and a further 15 wounded. The Government official escaped unhurt.
  
• On 10 August 2009, seven rockets were fired at the airport in Heart.
• On 31 July 2009, an Afghan National Army vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Farah. As a result, five ANA soldiers were killed and a further five injured.
• On 14 July 2009, an Italian ISAF vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Farah. Four Italian soldiers were injured.
• On 14 July 2009, an Italian ISAF vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Farah. One Italian soldier killed and a further three wounded.
• On 02 July 2009, an Italian ISAF patrol vehicle was struck by suicide vehicle in Herat. Two ISAF soldiers (Italian) suffered minor injuries in the blast.
  

Local laws and customs

Local laws reflect the fact that Afghanistan is a Muslim country.  You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. For more general information see our travelling during Ramadan page.

Homosexuality is illegal in Afghanistan.  You may not seek to convert Muslims to other faiths. The importation and use of narcotics, alcohol and pork products are forbidden.

Photography of government buildings, military installations and palaces is not allowed.  You should avoid photographing local people without their agreement.

For more general information for different types of travellers see our your trip page.

Entry requirements

Health

Natural disasters

Afghanistan is in an active earthquake zone.  More information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs you should follow the advice of local authorities. You should know the address and telephone number of the British Embassy in Kabul in the event of an emergency; this number can be found in our contacts section.

General