A 29-year-old Chinese national named Hu Congtai was detained by Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police in Srinagar on December 7, 2025, for visiting sensitive regions of Kashmir and Ladakh without proper permission, violating the terms of his Indian tourist visa.
Hu had arrived in New Delhi on November 19, 2025, on a tourist visa that restricted his travel to specific Buddhist religious sites, but he traveled to Leh in Ladakh without registering at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
He stayed in Zanskar for several days and later in Srinagar’s Budgam district, moving through highly sensitive areas without authorization, which raised concerns among security agencies who observed suspicious internet activity linked to him.
Though initially released after questioning, he was ordered to report back for further interrogation and may face deportation for visa violations. Officials are investigating his unusual interest in Kashmir and Ladakh, including his reported viewing of films about Kashmir and search for literature on the region.
The incident underlines ongoing vigilance and monitoring by Indian security agencies to prevent potential espionage or intelligence gathering under the guise of tourism. Hu Congtai may face deportation, influencing foreign tourist policies and security screenings in the region.
The Jammu and Kashmir police confirmed the detention citing visa violations and suspicious movements across sensitive Kashmir and Ladakh areas. Local police and security agencies highlighted breach of visitor registration procedures at Leh airport and issued orders to leave Zanskar before detainment.
The case has sparked concerns about the India-China border security and the need for strict enforcement of visa norms and travel permissions. The Chinese national’s interest in Kashmir-related geopolitical content has added to security apprehensions given ongoing India-China tensions.
The detention of Hu Congtai serves as a reminder of the strategic sensitivity of the Kashmir and Ladakh regions and the need for foreign nationals to adhere to visa regulations and respect the security concerns of the host country.
