Sunday, June 27, 2010

Liberian Vessel Carries Weapons to Pakistan

KOLKATA, June 26: A Pakistan-bound cargo ship carrying a “huge quantity” of explosives and other weapons was detained by Indian authorities at a harbour near Kolkata on Friday.

The vessel was heading for Karachi and was detained at Diamond Harbour, south of Kolkata, following an intelligence tip-off, police said.

“The Indian coast guard and navy personnel have found a huge quantity of explosives, rocket launchers, anti-aircraft guns and some bombs in two large containers,” the West Bengal police chief said at a press conference in Kolkata.

“The captain of the ship is being interrogated for further information,” he added.

The 153-metre-long ship was being taken to Kolkata for a thorough search by intelligence and other officials, Mr Singh said. “Customs have now decided to completely rummage the ship.”

Police identified the vessel as the MV Aegean Glory and said it was registered in Panama. The ship had sailed from Monrovia, Liberia, to Mauritius and on to Chittagong, Bangladesh, before making for Diamond Harbour.

“The seized documents show that the vessel’s origin was Liberia,” another senior police official said. He said he could not comment on who was the intended recipient of the weapons.—AFP

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