SRINAGAR – December 2025: A 29-year-old Chinese citizen has been detained by Indian authorities in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials say he traveled through Ladakh and Kashmir without permission for nearly two weeks. After his arrest, police started a major crackdown on hotels and guest houses. These places failed to report foreign visitors as required by law.
How He Was First Detected
Authorities say the Indian Army noticed suspicious online activity. This activity suggested a foreign national was moving in a sensitive area. Investigators later identified the person as Hu Congtai. He is from Shenzhen in China’s Guangdong province.
Arrival in India and Breaking Visa Rules
Reports state Hu arrived in New Delhi on November 19. His visa only allowed travel to Buddhist sites in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. However, he broke these rules. He traveled to Ladakh and then entered Jammu and Kashmir.
Phone Search History Alarms Officials
Police checked his mobile phone after his arrest. They found concerning search history. This included searches about CRPF deployments, Article 370, and other security-sensitive topics. He had also bought a local Indian SIM card from a market.
His Journey Through Ladakh
Sources say Hu flew to Leh on November 20. He reportedly resembled local people. Because of this, he passed through airport checks without raising alarms. He then traveled across Ladakh, including the Zanskar region. He entered Srinagar on December 1.
Places He Visited in Kashmir
In Srinagar, he stayed at a guest house. This guest house was not registered to host foreigners. During his stay, he visited several locations:
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Harwan Buddhist Monastery
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Shankaracharya Hill
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Hazratbal area
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Mughal Gardens near Dal Lake
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The ruins of Avantipora
His Education and Travel History
Reports show Hu holds a physics degree from Boston University. He has traveled to many countries before. These include the United States, New Zealand, Brazil, Fiji, and Hong Kong. Authorities believe his case is mainly a visa violation. He will likely be deported.
Crackdown on Lodging Places
After his arrest, Srinagar Police took strict action. They targeted hotels, home-stays, and houseboats. These places did not submit the mandatory Form-C for foreign nationals. Police have filed five formal complaints (FIRs) so far. Investigators also found travelers from Russia, Israel, Romania, and Spain. These travelers stayed in different places without proper reporting.
Main Question for Investigators
Authorities are now investigating a key issue. They want to know how Hu traveled across Ladakh and Kashmir for almost two weeks. He was not flagged by any security agency during this time.
