Two British nationals were detained by security agencies at a five star hotel near the IGI airport in Delhi after they were believed to be indulging in "suspicious" activities, police said on Tuesday.
The foreigners were detained on Monday after officials of Raddison Hotel in south-west Delhi's Mahipalpur became suspicious about the activities of Stephen Hampston (46) and Steve Martin (55), who had checked in four days ago.
"We detained them because of suspicious activities," Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal told reporters. However, he refused to provide details about them.
Police sources said the duo, who were suspected to be tracking the movement of flights arriving and departing from the international airport, were allegedly in possession of powerful binoculars and other sophisticated equipment.
Investigators of Delhi Police's Special Cell and Intelligence Bureau rushed to the spot and questioned them, Police is also probing an email believed to have been sent by Hampston.
Home Ministry sources said the Britishers have been confined to the hotel. Most of the agencies involved in the investigation have given clearance to the software found in the possession of the two British nationals, they said.
The British High Commission has been informed about the detention. PTI
