Security forces once again demonstrated their vigilance along the India-Nepal border as personnel from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) apprehended a Chinese national attempting to enter India illegally, officials said on Monday.
The incident took place on Sunday evening near the infamous “Do Number Gali” route at the Sonouli border, a known hotspot for illegal activities.
According to official sources here on Monday, the incident occurred while personnel from the SSB’s 22nd Battalion were conducting regular surveillance along the narrow trail routes of the border.
During the patrol, they spotted a man attempting to cross from Nepal into India under suspicious circumstances. He was immediately stopped, and the security personnel demanded identification.
Upon questioning, the man identified himself as Zhang Yong, a 62-year-old resident of Shanxi, China. He was found carrying a Chinese passport (No. EN3034125, issued on 15-11-2024 and valid till 14-11-2034) along with a Nepali tourist visa (No. T250459006, issued on 25-07-2025 and valid until 22-10-2025).
However, he lacked the mandatory Indian visa required for legal entry into the country.
Zhang confessed during initial interrogation that he had been staying for the past four days at a holy temple in Lumbini, Nepal, and had planned to enter India clandestinely.
The SSB promptly took Zhang into custody and handed him over to Sonouli Police Station.
SHO Ajit Pratap Singh confirmed that a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Passport Act and for illegal entry into India.
“We are also investigating the real motive behind his entry. It is important to determine whether there is a larger conspiracy behind this act,” said Singh.