Cargo Confiscated from Pak-bound Ship can be utilised for military purpose, per DRDO report

Government sources informed that the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (abbreviated the DRDO) on Monday presented its report to the authority regarding the seizure of suspicious commodities being shipped from China for possible use in the Pakistani nuclear weapons program.

Per the report by DRDO specialists, the large-size confiscated Computer Numerical Control (abbreviated as the CNC) machines are dual use in nature, which can be deployed for military applications. Security agencies reportedly intercepted a vessel (Karachi-bound) sailing from China at Nhava Sheva port based in Navi Mumbai on Jan 23, suspecting it of carrying a consignment, which might be used in the Pakistani nuclear and ballistic missile program, official informed PTI on March 2.

Acting on the intelligence inputs received, customs officials stopped the CMA CGM Malta-flagged merchant vessel, Attila, that was on its way to Karachi on Jan 23. Per PTI, the relevant officials have said that a DRDO team thoroughly analyzed the consignment, which possessed a CNC machine, and also confirmed its possible use in the Pakistani nuclear program.

The transport of CNC machines, found by relevant Indian authorities, is supervised by the Wassenaar Arrangement, an international deal that aims to control the spread of items for civilian as well as military uses, with India involved actively.

North Korea has also made use of a CNC machine in its nuclear program. Advanced investigations showed some discrepancies in the shipping information, suggesting attempts not to reveal the true recipients, per PTI.

The incident happens to be part of a pattern of seizures of dual-use military-grade things being shipped to Pakistan from China, flashing concerns regarding illicit procurement actions. In response, Pakistan has said that the Karachi-bound vessel was loaded with commercial items and mentioned that reports of seizure were marked by a misrepresentation of facts.

References: MSN, NDTV

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