NIA starts probe into Chinese ship in Gujarat

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 20

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case in connection with the arrival of a Karachi-bound Chinese vessel at Kandla port in Gujarat last year. The vessel was carrying equipment capable of conducting chemical reactions under high pressure.

Noting that the equipment can be used for both industrial and military purposes, officials said the agency registered an FIR on September 17, as per orders of the Home Ministry.

Customs officials had detained the vessel (Da Cui Yun) for allegedly carrying the said equipment without declaring it.

The ship reached Kandla on February 3 last year and managed to leave Indian shores on the intervening night of February 4 and 5 for its final destination, Port Qasim in Karachi, Pakistan. The vessel, which carried a Hong Kong flag, was detained and officials seized the suspected cargo.

Undeclared cargo

• A Karachi-bound Chinese vessel arrived at Kandla port in 2020
• Was carrying equipment capable of conducting chemical reactions under high pressure
• No declaration, however, had been made by the authorities as regards the said equipment