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.
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine is a manufacturing device where computer software guides the movement of factory tools and machinery. This technology controls various complex machinery like grinders, lathes, mills, and CNC routers.
CNC machines ensure a level of efficiency, consistency, and accuracy that is unattainable through manual operation.
Since 1996, CNC machines have been covered by the Wassenaar Arrangement, an international arms control regime aiming to prevent the spread of equipment with both civilian and military applications.
India, one of the 42 member countries, participates in the exchange of information regarding transfers of conventional weapons and dual-use goods and technologies.
The CNC machine was employed by North Korea in its nuclear programme.
A team from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) examined the consignment and verified its potential use in the neighbouring country’s nuclear programme.
Officials said that the seizure aligns with efforts to prevent potential proliferation by Pakistan and China, notably in manufacturing crucial components for missile development.