Why Was a Chinese National Detained for Visiting J&K and Ladakh Without Permission?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- A Chinese national was detained for unauthorized travel to J&K and Ladakh.
- Hu Congtai arrived on a tourist visa intended for specific regions.
- His phone history raised alarms about military inquiries.
- Hu's travels highlight the need for stringent monitoring of foreign visitors.
- Authorities emphasize the importance of compliance with registration protocols.
Srinagar, December 8 (NationPress) Authorities have detained a Chinese national for traveling to J&K and Ladakh without the necessary permissions, officials have reported.
Hu Congtai, a 29-year-old, arrived in New Delhi on November 19 with a tourist visa that allowed him to explore Buddhist sites in Varanasi, Agra, New Delhi, Jaipur, Sarnath, Gaya, and Kushinagar, as stated by officials.
“However, taking advantage of his likeness to locals, he took a flight to Leh on November 20 without registering at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office at the Leh airport. During his visit, he spent three days in the Zanskar region and explored significant areas in the Himalayan town before arriving in Srinagar on December 1,” the official reported.
“A review of his phone records indicated that he was searching for information regarding the deployment of the CRPF in the Kashmir Valley,” the official added, noting that he procured an Indian SIM card from the open market.
According to officials, Hu resided in an unregistered guest house in Srinagar and visited a Buddhist site at Harwan, a location where a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist was killed in an encounter last year.
“He also explored the Awantipur ruins in South Kashmir, which is in proximity to the Victor Force headquarters of the army. Throughout his stay, he explored various parts of Srinagar, including Shankracharya hills, Hazratbal, and the Mughal Garden by Dal Lake. His phone history revealed searches related to CRPF deployments and Article 370 of the Constitution, which was revoked in August 2019,” the official said.
“Hu has graduated in Physics from Boston University and claims to enjoy traveling. His passport reveals visits to numerous countries, including the US, New Zealand, Brazil, Fiji, and Hong Kong,” the official concluded.