3 min readMumbaiMar 3, 2024 08:18 AM IST
First published on: Mar 3, 2024 at 02:28 AM IST
Indian security agencies have detained a Karachi-bound ship at Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva port on suspicion that it contained a dual-use consignment that could be used for Pakistan’s nuclear and ballistic missile programme, officials said Saturday. The consignment has been seized. The ship had originated from China’s Shekou port and was heading towards Karachi.
Reportedly, the Malta-flagged merchant ship, CMA CGM Attila, was stopped on January 23 at the Nhava Sheva port on a specific intelligence received by security agencies. Officials said that on inspection, a consignment having a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, manufactured by an Italian company, was recovered. The officials suspect it was meant for use in Pakistan’s nuclear programme.
According to the officials, they had received specific intelligence about the vessel recently about the dual-use consignment from “Shanghai JXE Global Logistics Co Ltd” and the consignee as “Pakistan Wings Pvt Ltd” of Sialkot and it was berthed in Mumbai on January 23.
However, further examination and probe indicated that the consignment, which was over 22,000 kg, was shipped by “Taiyuan Mining Import and Export Co Ltd” and was meant for “Cosmos Engineering” in Pakistan, the officials claimed. After examination, officials confirmed its potential use in Pakistan’s nuclear initiatives, notably in manufacturing crucial components for missile development.
CNC machines fall under the Wassenaar Arrangement, an international arms control regime aimed at curbing the spread of items with dual civilian and military applications, in which India is an active participant.
The CNC machine was used by North Korea in its nuclear programme. Officials said that investigation showed several discrepancies in the shipping details like bills, which they claimed indicates potential evasion tactics used to allegedly conceal the true recipients.
Past seizures of dual-use military-grade items that were allegedly transhipped from China to Pakistan have stoked concerns over illegal procurement. The ongoing probe aims to ascertain if the suspected Pakistani entities receiving these items are linked to the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DESTO), responsible for Pakistan’s defence research and development.
Port officials, with specific intelligence, had alerted Indian defence authorities who inspected the heavy cargo after which the consignment was seized.
-With PTI inputs
A container on board a Karachi-bound ship from China. PTI 
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