26/11 mastermind is extradited to India from the US to face justice. His investigation may reveal a wider terror plot against India as the families of victims – and the whole country – seek a closure
Our Bureau
New Delhi/Mumbai/Washington, DC
In an extremely important development, Tahawwur Rana, 64, a Canadian citizen and native of Pakistan, was extradited to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
Rana is charged with numerous offences, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery, related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks by Laskhar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), a designated terrorist organization. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) successfully secured the extradition of Rana after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice.
According to the NIA, Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition. The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move.
NIA has placed Tahawwur Rana under 18-day custody. Investigators suspect that similar terror plots were devised for multiple cities across India. To piece together the full scope of the conspiracy, officials may take Rana to various locations, retracing events from 17 years ago.
According to the sources, the NIA is expanding its probe into the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, with plans to take Tahawwur Rana to various locations across India. His prolonged custody has been deemed necessary to facilitate an extensive interrogation aimed at uncovering deeper layers of the conspiracy. Authorities suspect that the tactics used in the Mumbai attacks were intended for execution in other cities as well, prompting investigators to examine whether similar plots were developed elsewhere.
Rana was formally arrested upon his arrival in India following his extradition from the U.S., which came after he had exhausted all legal avenues to prevent the move. Presented before a special court, the NIA argued that his custodial interrogation is essential to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy.
According to investigators, David Coleman Headley–another key conspirator–had informed Rana about the attack plans before his visit to India. Their email exchanges serve as critical evidence of their involvement. Authorities aim to determine Rana’s precise role in facilitating the devastating attacks.
Tight security measures were enforced during Rana’s court appearance, with Delhi Police evacuating the premises and restricting media access to ensure safety. The NIA emphasized that Rana conspired with terrorist groups to orchestrate the 2008 attacks, which resulted in 166 fatalities and over 238 injuries. His extradition marks a significant milestone in bringing those responsible to justice.
As terror accused Tahawwur Rana was arrested, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday morning said that further action could be taken to reveal the “real” mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. He said that the 26/11 accused Rana could reveal the mastermind behind the incident and expose the person who directed him to commit such an act. Pawar emphasized the importance of Rana’s apprehension in shedding light on the masterminds and motives behind the devastating incident.
Amid these developments, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Anurag Thakur on Thursday targeted the Congress after 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused, Tahawwur Rana arrived in India following his extradition from US. Thakur stated that people like Ajmal Kasab, one of the terrorists involved in the Mumbai attacks, and Tahawwur Rana “came” and “carried out” bomb blasts in the country during the Congress regime. He also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “bringing back those criminals”.
BJP MP Anurag Thakur told reporters here, ” During Congress regime, many people like Kasab and Rana came and carried out bomb blasts in the country. Congress did nothing, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought back those criminals, even from foreign countries. Now, the court in India will punish them…”
Meanwhile, the United States Department of Justice has termed the extradition of convicted terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana as “a critical step” toward seeking justice for the victims of the 26/11 heinous Mumbai terror attacks. “Rana’s extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks,” the Department of Justice said in a statement dated April 10, 2025.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday confirmed the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India, where he will face charges for his role in planning the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
Sharing a post on X, Rubio wrote, “We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.”
The post added, “Together, with India, we’ve long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. I’m glad that day has come.”
The United States Department of Justice has termed the extradition of convicted terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana as “a critical step” toward seeking justice for the victims of the 26/11 heinous Mumbai terror attacks. “Rana’s extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks,” the Department of Justice said in a statement dated April 10, 2025.
Now, US Department of Justice (DoJ) has revealed that Tahawwur Rana told David Coleman Headley that the Indians “deserved it.”
In an intercepted conversation with Headley, Rana allegedly commended the nine LeT terrorists who had been killed committing the attacks, saying that “They should be given Nishan-e-Haider”–Pakistan’s “highest award for gallantry in battle,” which is reserved for fallen soldiers, the DoJ said.
In a statement dated April 10, the US Department of Justice said that India alleged that Rana facilitated a fraudulent cover so that his childhood friend David Coleman Headley (Headley), a US citizen born Daood Gilani, could freely travel to Mumbai for the purpose of conducting surveillance of potential attack sites for the proscribed LeT.
“As India alleges, Headley had received training from LeT members in Pakistan and was in direct communication with LeT about plans to attack Mumbai,” the US Department of Justice statement read.
“Among other things, Rana allegedly agreed to open a Mumbai branch of his immigration business and appoint Headley as the manager of the office, despite Headley’s having no immigration experience. On two separate occasions, Rana allegedly helped Headley prepare and submit visa applications to Indian authorities that contained information Rana knew to be false. Rana also allegedly supplied, through his unsuspecting business partner, documentation in support of Headley’s attempt to secure formal approval from Indian authorities to open a branch office of Rana’s business,” the DoJ statement read.
Over the course of more than two years, Headley allegedly repeatedly met with Rana in Chicago and described his surveillance activities on behalf of LeT, LeT’s responses to Headley’s activities, and LeT’s potential plans for attacking Mumbai,” it read.
Earlier, US Marshals in the Central District of California on Tuesday transferred custody of Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani national and Canadian citizen, to representatives from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
The United States Department of Justice has termed the extradition of convicted terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana as “a critical step” toward seeking justice for the victims of the 26/11 heinous Mumbai terror attacks.
“Rana’s extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks,” the Department of Justice said in a statement dated April 10, 2025.
Meanwhile, citing international implications, former Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi on Thursday stressed that Tahawwur Rana’s case requires extraordinary measures, suggesting precautions like high-surveillance confinement and inter-agency monitoring. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused arrived in India on Thursday following his extradition from the US.
Kiren Bedi also called for key safety measures to be included while transporting and prosecuting such a globally high-profile terrorist suspect.
Kiren Bedi said, “Tihar jail has previously housed hardened criminals, separatists and terrorists. However, Rana’s case requires extraordinary measures due to its international implications. I would suggest the following precautions must be considered at all costs…solitary, high-surveillance confinement, inter-agency monitoring…if possible, AI-assisted surveillance. Also, while transporting and prosecuting such a globally high-profile terrorist suspect like this, very key safety measures should be included. The following could be armed convoys with decoys, virtual trials, staff background checks and courtroom fortification…”
“India’s prison infrastructure needs modernization to meet global standards…With the right upgrades and intelligence, it is essential to establish a coordinated system of legal safeguards, technological infrastructure, and strategic foresight,” she added.
Given the importance of the case, the NIA and Delhi Police are likely to provide a foolproof security around the prison to make sure that Rana is brought to justice. It will be a closure for the families of the victims.
