Amidst Pakistan’s ongoing struggle with poverty and starvation, questions arise regarding its intentions regarding missile development and nuclear testing. Recent events, including the interception of a suspicious shipment from China at Mumbai port by Indian security agencies, have intensified these concerns.
The cargo, destined for Karachi, Pakistan, contained a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, a crucial component in nuclear and ballistic missile programs. This discovery has shed light on Pakistan’s clandestine nuclear endeavors, raising alarm bells among international security agencies.
Actually, after an intelligence information, a ship going from China to Karachi, Pakistan has been stopped by Indian security agencies at Nhava Sheva Port in Mumbai. The cargo ship ‘CMA CGM Attila’ was flagged by Malta and was going from China to Karachi port in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s secret nuclear program exposed
On January 23, the Customs Department, during investigation, recovered such an item in the container loaded on the ship, which alarmed the security agencies. A Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine has been found inside the container loaded on the ship, which is used in making nuclear bombs and missiles. This is the same CNC machine that the North Korean dictator uses for his nuclear and missile tests.
Investigation has revealed that the CNC machine which has been seized is ‘Made in Italy’. The Italian company is known for precise control through computer systems. After the seizure of the CNC machine, Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists have also investigated. According to reports in the public domain, the DRDO team’s investigation has found that the machine could have been used by Pakistan for nuclear initiative or specifically for missile development.
What is a CNC machine?
The CNC machine of the Italian company is controlled by computer and is used for very precise cutting. CNC machines are used for cutting things made of wood, metal and plastic. North Korea had used this machine in its missile program. Since then, whenever any country orders a CNC machine, security agencies all over the world become alert. DRDO also believes that this machine could have been used for Pakistan’s missile program.
How did Indian agencies become suspicious?
In 2022 also, India had stopped a cargo containing thermoelectric equipment made in Italy at the same Nhava Sheva port. The cargo bills of loading revealed that the consignment brought from China was for Cosmos Engineering of Pakistan. Cosmos Engineering is a defence firm in Pakistan that supplies to the Pakistan Army.
Pakistan’s Cosmos has been on the engineering watch list since March 2022. At that time Pakistan had tried to buy thermo-electric equipment from an Italian company. Even then Indian authorities had stopped a consignment of thermoelectric equipment manufactured in Italy at Nhava Sheva port. In February 2020, China was supplying autoclaves under the guise of industrial dryers. The ‘autoclave’ was seized from the Chinese ship Dai Kui Yun, which was flying the Hong Kong flag.
Pakistan’s explanation
Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zahra Baloch has termed Indian claims as ‘arbitrary’. Zahra Baloch has said that there are necessary documents with the ship, there are also bank challans related to the purchase of the machine in a transparent manner. India’s action is inappropriate. According to her, India is creating obstacles in free trade and has violated international laws.