The case of a Chinese national caught in Srinagar has created a stir in security circles. This young man had arrived in India on a tourist visa, but the way he kept roaming in sensitive and strategic areas without permission has caught the attention of the investigating agencies. Now his mobile phone has been sent for forensic examination to find out whether he shared any confidential information.
Roaming outside the scope of the visa
Hu Kongtai, a 29-year-old man, arrived in Delhi on November 19. His visa allowed him to travel only to selected Buddhist holy places—such as Varanasi, Agra, Delhi, Jaipur, Sarnath, Gaya, and Kushinagar. Despite this, he continued to roam in many sensitive areas of Leh, Zanskar and Kashmir Valley in Ladakh.
He spent three days in Zanskar and visited places which are considered to be of strategic importance. Not only was he roaming there, but he also did not register at any FRRO office, which is mandatory for foreign nationals.
Access to many sensitive locations in Kashmir
His travel route passed through many places where foreign tourists are usually stopped due to security reasons. He visited the Buddhist monastery at Hawarwan in South Kashmir and the Buddhist ruins at Awantipora – which are very close to the Army’s Victor Force headquarters. Apart from this he also visited places like Hazratbal, Shankaracharya Hill, Dal Lake and Mughal Garden.
Indian SIM card and suspicious internet activity
Soon after arriving in India, he also acquired an Indian SIM card from the open market, which deepens the suspicion. Online searches on topics related to CRPF deployment and abrogation of Article 370 were found on his phone. Investigators are also trying to find out if he deleted some browsing data.
Try to be ignorant in questioning
During the interrogation, he repeatedly tried to say that he was not aware of the visa regulations. He describes himself as an amateur traveler and claims to have studied physics at Boston University and has been living in America for the past nine years. Travel stamps of countries like America, New Zealand, Brazil, Fiji and Hong Kong are also found on his passport.
Security agencies are on the lookout for the cause
Hu is being questioned by Hamama police post near Srinagar airport. The attention of the agencies is focused on what he actually did while in India and for what purpose he traveled to such sensitive areas.