DHAKA, Oct 15: Security agencies of Bangladesh are keeping an eye on an unidentified ship anchored in the Bay of Bengal that they suspect of carrying illegal weapons, sources in the ministry of home affairs say.

After investigation some intelligence agencies have arrived at the conclusion that the container, which was first detected on Aug 23, is carrying weapons, the sources said.

The Bangladesh navy and air force too view the ship with suspicion, said the sources.

The ship is anchored about 20kms from Cox’s Bazar.

“There is a danger of weapons being smuggled into Choufaldandi Ghat in the Moheshkhali Channel by fishing boats,” said a report submitted to the home ministry, naval headquarters and the directorate of forces intelligence.

The armed forces department has urged the higher authorities to increase vigilance of the ship.

Some trawlers are routinely moored at Choufaldandi Ghat to unload fish there. Thus the Moheshkhali Channel is in danger of being used for smuggling arms through it, said the report.

The director-general of shipping, Captain Shafiqullah, said that if the ship had been stationed within the territorial waters of Bangladesh, the government could have ordered an inspection.