ISLAMABAD: A Chinese man was detained in Indian-occupied Kashmir after, according to local media, Indian security agencies claimed they were alerted by “unusual chatter” intercepted online.

The man, identified as Hu Congtai, 29, reportedly arrived in Delhi on November 19 on a tourist visa. The visa, the report claims, allowed him to visit Buddhist religious sites in Varanasi, Agra, New Delhi, Jaipur, Sarnath, Gaya, and Kushi Nagar.

However, Congtai boarded a flight to Leh on November 20 and did not register at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office counter at Leh airport, as required by India’s strict regulations.

The report, quoting Indian officials, states that during his stay, the Chinese man toured the Zanskar region (Ladakh) for three days and visited places of significance in the Himalayan town before entering Srinagar (IIOJK) on December 1.

Phone history

A search of Congtai’s phone history allegedly showed queries regarding the deployment of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the valley, Indian officials claimed, adding he was being questioned by multiple agencies.

They also noted that Congtai had acquired an Indian SIM card from the open market.

While in Srinagar, staying in an “unregistered” guest house, the Chinese national visited a Buddhist religious site at Harwan, the location of a fatal encounter last year involving a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative, the report claims.

Phone data also reportedly indicated visits to Awantipur ruins in South Kashmir, near the army’s Victor Force headquarters.

During his stay, Congtai allegedly visited various Srinagar areas, including Shankracharya Hills, Hazratbal, and Mughal Garden along Dal Lake.

CPRF deployments

His phone reportedly contained searches on CRPF deployments and Article 370, which India controversially abrogated in 2019.

Congtai graduated in Physics from Boston University and is a known travel enthusiast.

His passport shows visits to multiple countries including the US, New Zealand, Brazil, Fiji, and Hong Kong.

Indian officials claimed he violated visa regulations and, at most, could be deported, highlighting India’s strict enforcement measures.

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Chinese man detained, questioned for phone searches in Indian-occupied Kashmir