Indian security agencies stop Chinese ship in Mumbai, suspected to be nuclear weapons material

Mumbai Indian security agencies have stopped a ship going from China to Pakistan in Mumbai. This ship has been stopped at Nhava Sheva port. Security agencies suspect that there is something in the ship which Pakistan can use in its nuclear and ballistic missile programme.

Acting on an intelligence input, Customs officials intercepted a Karachi-bound Malta-flagged merchant ship, CMA CGM Attila, at the port on January 23 and inspected the consignment. This also included a computer numerical control machine manufactured by an Italian company. The consignment was also inspected by a DRDO team, which certified that the CNC machine could be used in manufacturing critical parts for Pakistan's missile development programme.

Officials said there are concerns that Pakistan could use China as a conduit to obtain banned items from Europe and the US, using anonymity to avoid detection. According to documents such as bill of loading and other details of the consignment, the consignor's name was stated as “Shanghai JXE Global Logistics Company Limited” and the consignee's name was stated as “Pakistan Wings Private Limited” of Sialkot.

However, a thorough investigation by security agencies revealed that the consignment weighing 22,180 kg was sent by Taiyuan Mining Import and Export Company Limited and was meant for Cosmos Engineering in Pakistan, officials said.

Port officials with specific intelligence alerted Indian defense officials, who inspected the heavy cargo and reported their suspicions, following which the consignment was seized. Officials said, this seizure comes as part of the prevention of possible proliferation by Pakistan and China.