Youths with Naval Base maps held

Kochi, July 29 (UNI) The Harbour Police nabbed two youths near the Southern Naval Base here last evening with detailed maps of the base and its surrounding areas.

The two, however, claimed to be employees of a Delhi-based mapping company which had been contracted by a major mobile service provider to do a land survey to put up its tower, Harbour Police officials told UNI.

A preliminary enquiry had been made with the Delhi-based company and the mobile service provider, which verified the youths' statements. However, the police had not released them pending a verification of their residential addresses.

They were identified as Chandan (22) of Bihar and Rahul Jha (22) from Delhi. The two were at present in the custody of Harbour Police.

Police said the duo were nabbed in a ''doubtful situation'' near the Naval Base and the possession of the detailed maps of the area caused suspicion.

Officials at the Southern Naval Base Headquarters here said the security at the base had been stepped up following the blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

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