Chinese national quizzed for visiting Kashmir without permission

SRINAGAR: A 29-year-old Chinese national was questioned by police and intelligence officials in central Kashmir’s Budgam district Sunday for travelling to J&K and Ladakh without permission and violating visa norms, a police official said.The man, who was found staying at a homestay in the area, told interrogators that he had also visited the Zanskar region as a tourist. He claimed his father is a businessman in China and said he had watched films like The Kashmir Files and Article 370. He also said he was looking for books on Kashmir, including Curfewed Night by Basharat Peer.He was later released, the official said, adding that he may be called again for questioning and could be deported for violating visa regulations.The Chinese national arrived in New Delhi on November 19 on a tourist visa permitting travel only to select Buddhist religious destinations, including Varanasi, Agra, New Delhi, Sarnath, and Gaya. However, he flew to Leh on November 20 and did not register himself at foreigners' regional registration office counter at Leh airport.