Two Chinese nationals were detained near Namgya check post on Indo-Tibet border in tribal Kinnaur district, police said Sunday.
The Chinese nationals were carrying valid travel documents, passport and visa, but their presence on the border without the "inner line permit", which is mandatory to visit border areas, has raised suspicion, police said.
They have been detained for verification and were taken to police post at Pooh near border, ADGP(CID), S R Mardi said.
Five mobile phones, SIM cards and Chinese currency worth Rs 3000 was recovered from them, he said.
The duo was accompanied by their Tibetan-Ladakhi girl friends. The police are verifying the antecedents of the detained Chinese nationals and their friends and the purpose of their visit to border areas.
Police is yet to ascertain the motive of their visit and the route taken by them.
The duo has not been arrested and has only been detained for questioning and any further action would be taken after verification of documents and other information gathered from them, police said.