Srinagar: Security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir have sent the mobile phone of a Chinese national for detailed forensic analysis after he was found travelling through restricted and strategically sensitive areas in Ladakh and the Kashmir Valley in violation of visa norms, officials said on Monday.
The man, identified as Hu Congtai, 29, was detained in Srinagar after the Army picked up what it described as “unusual Internet chatter” linked to his device, reported PTI.
Early surveillance of Hu’s digital activity showed searches related to CRPF deployments and Article 370, owing to which investigating officers are looking deeper into his intentions. They are also trying to determine whether he deleted any browsing data before he arrived in Srinagar.
Hu had entered India on November 19 on a tourist visa that allowed travel only to a limited list of Buddhist religious sites, including Varanasi, Agra, New Delhi, Jaipur, Sarnath, Gaya and Kushinagar. Despite this, he allegedly used his resemblance to locals to quietly board a flight to Leh on November 20 without reporting to the FRRO desk at the airport.
During a three-day stay in Zanskar, Hu visited monasteries and areas that officials described as strategically significant. He then flew to Srinagar on December 1, stayed at an unregistered guest house, and travelled to several sensitive locations such as Harwan, the Awantipora ruins near the Army’s Victor Force headquarters, Shankaracharya Hill, Hazratbal, and tourist spots along Dal Lake.
Investigating officials also found that Hu had procured an Indian SIM card from the open market—another red flag for security agencies.
During questioning at the Humhama police post near Srinagar Airport, Hu claimed ignorance of any visa violations. He told officials he had spent nine years in the U.S., studied Physics at Boston University, and was simply travelling. His passport shows trips to the US, New Zealand, Brazil, Fiji, and Hong Kong.
As per officials, Hu had “clearly violated visa regulations” and could be deported once the probe concludes. Following his detention, Jammu and Kashmir Police carried out surprise inspections at hotels, homestays, and guest houses and found several failing to follow mandatory rules on reporting foreign guests.
The investigation into Hu’s movements, communications, and the motive behind his visits to sensitive areas is underway.
As a follow-up to this case, the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday carried out surprise checks at various places for unauthorised Bread and Breakfast outlets, guest houses and hotels and found that some of them had not been following instructions on reporting foreign guests.
(With inputs from agencies)
