Ship carrying military supplies from China to Pakistan intercepted in Mumbai; suspected to be items for nuclear project

NEW DELHI: A ship bound for Pakistan from China was intercepted in Mumbai by Indian security agencies on suspicion of carrying cargo for nuclear programme. The ship was intercepted at Mumbai's Nhava Sheva Port on suspicion of carrying cargo that could be used for Pakistan's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. It is reported that on January 23, customs officers intercepted the Maltese-flagged merchant vessel - CMA CGM Attila. The ship was bound for Karachi, Pakistan. The action was based on the report of intelligence agencies.

The ship had a CNC machine made by an Italian company. A team of DRDO also inspected the ship. According to the report, DRDO officials have certified that these can be used by Pakistan for its nuclear program. Investigations by security agencies revealed that the cargo was shipped by Taiwan Mining and Export Co Ltd and was meant for Cosmos Engineering, which supplies defence equipment to Pakistan, officials told the news agency. Cosmos Engineering is a watch list firm of India.

Such dual-use military items being shipped from China to Pakistan have been seized by Indian port officials in the past.