Customs Foils Suspected Shipment to Pakistan’s Nuclear Program at Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva Port
Navi Mumbai, 2nd March 2024: A suspected shipment destined for Pakistan’s nuclear program has been intercepted at the Nhava Sheva port in Mumbai. Customs officials, acting on specific intelligence received on January 23, detained the Malta-flagged merchant ship, CMA CGM Attila, en route to Karachi. Upon inspection, a consignment was found, including a computer numerical control (CNC) machine originally manufactured by an Italian company, believed to have dual-use capabilities for both defence and civilian purposes.
The Customs Department seized the consignment under existing policies, citing concerns that the CNC machine could potentially contribute to Pakistan’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Despite being manufactured by an Italian company, the suspicion arises from the shipment’s origin in China, suggesting its intended use for the Pakistani defence forces.
Sources reveal that the consignment was intended for Cosmos Engineering, a Karachi-based company primarily involved in the production of automobile parts and home appliances. Additionally, the company manufactures a range of products, including firefighting systems, CCTV cameras, solar panels, and equipment for heavy industry and research purposes.
