Security Agencies Stop Ship From China To Pak In Mumbai, Suspect Nuclear Cargo
In January, security agencies seized a ship from China destined for Karachi at Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva port, suspecting it of carrying a shipment that may be used for Pakistan’s nuclear and ballistic missile projects.
On January 23, customs officers stopped the Malta-flagged commercial ship CMA CGM Attila on its way to Karachi based on intelligence. Officials said a team from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) evaluated the shipment, which included a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, and confirmed its possible use in Pakistan’s nuclear project.
CNC machines are supervised by the Wassenaar Arrangement, an international agreement aimed at controlling the spread of items with both civilian and military applications, in which India is actively involved. Notably, North Korea employed a CNC machine in its nuclear program.
Further investigations revealed anomalies in shipment information, implying attempts to conceal the genuine beneficiaries.
The current incident is part of a larger trend of seizures of dual-use military-grade products sent from China to Pakistan, raising suspicions about illegal procurement activities.
The ongoing inquiry aims to uncover whether the suspected Pakistani beneficiaries of these items are connected to the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DESTO), which is in charge of Pakistan’s defence research and development.
