NEW DELHI, Aug 25: Worried by increasing reports of planned attacks on its citizens across the world, Israel on Thursday asked its nationals holidaying in Kashmir to leave the Valley immediately.

The Press Trust of India, in a dispatch from Israel, quoted its foreign ministry spokesman David Saranga as saying the measure was taken following reports that Israelis in Kashmir were unsafe.

"The advisory has been issued at the recommendation of the anti-terror headquarters attached to the prime minister's office," Mr Saranga said. For the last two years, Israelis have topped the list of foreign tourists visiting Srinagar and other parts of the disputed region. Tourism officials say 960 Israelis have arrived in the valley so far this year compared to 1,097 the previous year.

Israeli diplomats in New Delhi said there were recent reports in Kashmiri newspapers suggesting that some militant groups were planning to target them. PTI said Israeli officials expressed concerns that terror organizations active in Kashmir had spotted the presence of Israelis and could be planning an attack.