Karachi-bound ship stopped at Mumbai over suspicion of carrying cargo for Pak's nuclear programme

A Karachi-bound ship from China was stopped at Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva port by Indian security agencies over suspicion of it containing a dual-use consignment that could be deployed in Pakistan’s nuclear and ballistic missiles programme.

Based on inputs from intelligence agencies, customs officials halted the CMA CGM Attila, a Malta-flagged merchant vessel en route to Karachi for inspection.

STORY | Ship suspected to contain dual-use consignment for Pak's nuclear programme stopped at Mumbai port

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— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 2, 2024

How was the ship apprehended?

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Indian defence authorities, upon receiving a tip from specific intelligence, were alerted about the vessel’s voyage following which they inspected the heavy cargo and reported their suspicion about the contents of the ship.

The consignment was thereby seized. Officials defended the seizure by saying that it falls under the prevention of possible proliferation by Pakistan and China.

According to documents such as bills of loading and other details of the consignment, the consigner was mentioned as “Shanghai JXE Global Logistics Co Ltd” and the consignee was “Pakistan Wings Pvt Ltd” of Sialkot.

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What did authorities find?

During their inspection, security officials found a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, originally manufactured by an Italian company.

An examination by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) confirmed that the contents of the consignments are likely to be used by Pakistan for its nuclear programme.

According to the experts, the CNC, which North Korea once used, would be useful in manufacturing critical parts for Pakistan’s missile development programme.

A deeper investigation by the security agencies indicated that the consignment, weighing 22,180 kilograms, was shipped by Taiyuan Mining Import and Export Co Ltd and meant for Cosmos Engineering in Pakistan, the officials said.

Since 1996, CNC machines have been included in the Wassenaar Arrangement – an international arms control regime aimed at stopping the proliferation of equipment with both civilian and military uses. India is among the 42 member countries that exchange information on transfers of conventional weapons and dual-use goods and technologies.

With inputs from PTI