Chinese man detained in J&K for flouting travel norms, searched Article 370 on phone
His phone browsing history included searches about CRPF deployment and the removal of Article 370, and investigators are checking whether any data was deleted.
PTC News Desk: The mobile phone of a Chinese citizen detained in Srinagar for violating visa rules and visiting sensitive military areas in Ladakh and Kashmir without permission has been sent for forensic examination to check whether he shared any confidential information.
The man, 29-year-old Hu Congtai, arrived in Delhi on November 19 on a tourist visa but allegedly travelled to restricted regions such as Leh, Zanskar and several parts of the Kashmir Valley without registering with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). His visa only allowed travel to specific Buddhist pilgrimage sites like Varanasi, Agra, New Delhi, Jaipur, Sarnath, Gaya and Kushinagar.
Despite this, Hu spent three days in Zanskar, visiting monasteries and locations of strategic significance. He also went to several sensitive places, including the Buddhist Monastery in Hawrwan, the Buddhist ruins in Awantipora near the Army’s Victor Force headquarters, and spots like the Hazratbal shrine, Shankaracharya Hill, Dal Lake and the Mughal Gardens. He also managed to obtain an Indian SIM card from the open market, which raised further suspicion.
His phone browsing history included searches about CRPF deployment and the removal of Article 370, and investigators are checking whether any data was deleted.
During questioning, Hu claimed he was unaware of the visa restrictions. He said he studied Physics at Boston University and has lived in the US for the past nine years. Describing himself as a travel enthusiast, he pointed to his passport, which shows travel to the US, New Zealand, Brazil, Fiji and Hong Kong.
He is currently being questioned at the Humhama Police Post in Budgam near Srinagar Airport, as authorities work to understand the purpose of his movements in India.