Security agencies to bring Pak bound ship to Kolkata for investigation

KOLKATA - A Karachi-bound ship, which was intercepted on the Hooghly with UN peacekeeping mission arms and ammunition, is all set to sail for the Kolkata port amid tight security on Sunday for thorough investigation.

According to sources, the Liberia-registered ‘Aegean Glory’, was carrying rocket launchers, smoke bombs and anti-aircraft guns, apart from other arms and ammunition.

On Friday, the vessel was intercepted on the Hooghly as it had not furnished necessary declaration documents for carrying weapons and explosives.

West Bengal Director General of Police Bhupinder Singh said that at Kolkata, customs officials would tally weapons in the container with the list made by the security officials after interrogating ship’s captain.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Police have contacted New York-based Movement Control officials of the UN Mission to get detailed information about the ship.

Singh said if any discrepancies are found, legal action would be taken against the owner of the ship and the crew members.

He further informed that the “Aegean Glory,” was slated to unload the military cargo at different ports to return weapons of the nations that participated in the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

The UN peacekeeping force landed Liberia in 2003 to contain the conflict arising out of the second Liberian civil war.

All the security agencies concerned and the ministries of external affairs, defence and home were alerted after the interception of the ship. (ANI)