Srinagar/Leh: Security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir have detained a Chinese national for allegedly traveling in restricted areas of the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh without proper authorization, officials said on Sunday. The detention follows an unusual internet chatter intercepted by the Indian Army, which raised concerns about the individual’s movements in sensitive regions.

The detainee, Hu Congtai, 29, entered India on November 19 on a tourist visa. The visa explicitly allowed him to visit Buddhist religious sites in certain cities, including Varanasi, Agra, New Delhi, Jaipur, Sarnath, Gaya, and Kushi Nagar. However, Hu allegedly bypassed these restrictions by traveling to Leh in Ladakh on November 20, taking advantage of his resemblance to local residents. During his visit, he did not register at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) counter at Leh airport, a requirement for all foreign visitors in the region.

During his stay in Ladakh, Hu reportedly toured the Zanskar region for three days, visiting locations of geographical and cultural significance before proceeding to Srinagar on December 1. Authorities conducting a preliminary investigation found that he had stayed in an unregistered guest house while in Srinagar and had visited several locations of strategic and religious interest. Among these were the Buddhist religious site at Harwan, where a past encounter had resulted in the death of a Lashkar-e-Taiba militant, and the Awantipur ruins in South Kashmir, located near the headquarters of the Victor Force of the Indian Army.

Analysis of Hu’s mobile phone data showed searches related to the deployment of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Kashmir and to Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which was abrogated in August 2019, ending the special status of Jammu & Kashmir. Officials said this indicated a focus on security-sensitive matters during his travels. In Srinagar, Hu also visited well-known tourist and religious sites such as Shankracharya Hills, Hazratbal Shrine, and Mughal Gardens along the Dal Lake.

Officials confirmed that Hu had obtained an Indian SIM card from the open market and used it during his travels, which allowed him to maintain connectivity. His international travel history, as reflected in his passport, includes visits to the United States, New Zealand, Brazil, Fiji, and Hong Kong. Hu has claimed that he enjoys traveling, and he holds a graduate degree in Physics from Boston University.

Despite his claims of being a tourist, authorities concluded that Hu had violated the terms of his visa by entering restricted areas and failing to register with local authorities. Security agencies are conducting detailed questioning to determine the purpose of his visits to sensitive areas and to rule out any potential security risks.

According to officials, Hu’s actions represent a breach of visa regulations, and the authorities are considering deportation to China as the most likely course of action. They emphasized that foreign nationals must adhere strictly to visa restrictions, particularly in regions with heightened security concerns.

The case highlights ongoing vigilance in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, where foreign visits are closely monitored due to the sensitive nature of the regions and ongoing security challenges. The authorities continue to investigate the detainee’s movements and communications to ensure that no breach of national security has occurred.

Hu’s detention serves as a reminder to all foreign visitors that compliance with local regulations is mandatory, and failure to do so could result in immediate action, including questioning, detention, and deportation.