Pakistan Bound Ship From China Detained Off Gujarat Was Carrying Components Used To Make Ballistic Missiles: DRDO

A Pakistan bound ship named Dai Cui Yun from China, that was detained at the Kandla port in Gujarat by the Indian Customs authorities in February, was carrying components that can be utilised to manufacture long-range ballistic missiles and satellite launch rockets according to experts from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), reports The Print.

The ship, en-route Karachi’s Port Qasim, was stopped after receiving intelligence tip-off on 3 February. Immediately DRDO scientists were called to examine and the so-called dual-use (civilian and military) equipment which was seized. The ship was later allowed to proceed to the Pakistani port on 20 February after the seizure of the equipment.

Authorities had discovered an 18 x 4-metre autoclave on inspection which is used in manufacturing composite lining made out of sheets of silica for solid-fuel ballistic missiles.

Indian authorities suspect that the cargo may have been part of a nuclear nexus between Pakistan and China. Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) responsible for the country’s ballistic missile program is also based in Karachi.

Technical and missile experts from DRDO informed the Kandla Customs, the Ministry of External Affairs and National Security Planners on Tuesday (3 March) that the seized components can indeed be used to manufacture platforms capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

An official who wanted to remain anonymous said that the seized components can be used for the manufacture of the motor of very long-range missiles or to build a rocket capable of launching satellites. It must be noted that Pakistan still depends on China to launch all its satellites even though, Suparco was formed in 1961.

According to officials, it is now up to India to take this matter to the Weapons of Mass Destruction and Their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act 2005 and inform the UN exposing the nuclear proliferation operation between Beijing and Islamabad.

It should be noted that recently, five Pakistanis who are citizens of Canada, UK, Pakistan and Hong Kong were indicted in the United States for allegedly running an international network that procured US goods for Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program.

All of them have been charged for conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Export Control Reform Act.