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After the attacks were complete, Rana allegedly told 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 "[t]hey should be given Nishan-e-Haider"- Pakistan's "highest award for gallantry in battle," which is reserved for fallen soldiers, the US press release stated
In a significant development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday formally arrested Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key conspirator in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, shortly after his arrival in New Delhi following his extradition from the United States.
As per NIA press releases, Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian national of Pakistani origin, landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi escorted by senior NIA and NSG officials aboard a special flight from Los Angeles. The arrest was made on the tarmac itself, immediately after completion of immigration and legal formalities.
Rana’s extradition marks the culmination of years of sustained efforts by Indian and U.S. authorities to bring one of the alleged masterminds of the 26/11 attacks to justice. He now faces trial in India on multiple charges including conspiracy, murder, forgery, and committing terrorist acts under Indian law.
According to NIA, Rana had conspired with David Coleman Headley (also known as Daood Gilani), operatives of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI), and other Pakistan-based actors to orchestrate the devastating 2008 attacks.
From November 26 to 29, 2008, ten terrorists from Pakistan-based LeT carried out 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai. They infiltrated the city by sea, broke into teams, and launched strikes at high-profile locations, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Leopold Café, and a Jewish center. Attackers indiscriminately opened fire and hurled grenades at civilians, resulting in the deaths of 166 people, including six Americans, and injuring over 238. Property damage was estimated to exceed $1.5 billion.
LeT and HUJI are both declared terrorist organisations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Rana is accused of using his immigration business to provide Headley with a cover for conducting reconnaissance of potential targets in Mumbai. He allegedly helped falsify documents, provided logistical support, and remained in communication with Headley during the period of surveillance and planning. After the attacks, Rana allegedly praised the terrorists and justified the carnage.
Rana now faces trial in India on 10 serious criminal charges including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery.
His extradition was ordered by a U.S. court in May 2023, but Rana pursued multiple appeals, including petitions in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court, all of which were rejected. On April 9, the U.S. Marshals Service executed the final surrender warrant, handing him over to Indian authorities.
The extradition effort involved the coordinated work of the NIA, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, U.S. Department of Justice, FBI’s Legal Attaché in New Delhi, and other American and Indian intelligence agencies. Indian authorities hailed the move as a landmark moment in the global fight against terrorism.
Rana is currently in NIA custody and will soon be produced before a special NIA court for further legal proceedings.
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