The man was spotted by locals who informed the police.
A man with maps and binoculars was interrogated for three hours today by Army officers in Ambala in Haryana, 50 kms south of Chandigarh. He was then handed over to the local police.
Police sources say that the man, who did not appear to understand Hindi, was also carrying photographs and notes that appeared to be written in code.
India is still reeling from a massive attack on the air force base at Pathankot near the Punjab border with Pakistan. Earlier this month, a group of six terrorists entered the base from Pakistan and opened fire.
They were heavily armed with mortars and nearly 50 kilos of bullets.
The operation to kill them and secure the base lasted over 80 hours; seven military personnel were martyred. Fighter jets and attack helicopters at the base were not damaged.
India has demanded strong action from Pakistan against the Jaish-e-Mohammed, the terror group that orchestrated the attack. Pakistan says it has sealed the offices of the banned group and has detained several members, but has not confirmed if Jaish chief Masood Azhar has been arrested.