Israel's anti-terrorism department has issued a severe warning against travelling to India, citing an "immediate and severe" risk to Western tourists.

The threat is said to be most acute in holiday locations in the south west of the country.

"A particular emphasis should be put on events in the coming days in connection with beach and club parties celebrating the New Year where a concentration of tourists will be high," the warning said.

The statement recommended that tourists avoid participation in such parties. It also called on families in Israel to contact their relatives in India and tell them of the threat.

In addition, it recommended avoiding markets, festivals and crowded shopping areas. Unusually, the warning was published on Friday evening in Israel, after the start of the Jewish Sabbath, when government offices close for business.

The directorate said the alert was in response to a "concrete basic threat", but did not specify what had prompted the warning

In 2012, the wife of Israeli diplomat stationed in India, her driver and two others were wounded in a bomb attack on her car. Israel and India share close military ties.

In some areas of India, terrorist attacks are frequent, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, apart from in Ladakh. Attacks are less common in the north east.