Tahawwur Rana, Mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai Attacks, Extradited from the US by NIA

Synopsis

The NIA has confirmed the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the main conspirator behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after persistent efforts. Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian national of Pakistani origin, was extradited following the exhaustion of his legal challenges in the US.

Key Takeaways

Tahawwur Rana extradited to India by NIA.
Mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
Extradition followed years of concerted efforts.
Involvement with terrorist organizations established.
Heightened security measures at NIA and court.

New Delhi, April 10 (NationPress) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has declared that it has successfully achieved the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the principal architect of the horrific 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, "after extensive and persistent efforts to ensure that the key conspirator behind the 2008 chaos is brought to justice".

Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian national originally from Pakistan, has been transported to India after being held in judicial custody in the US under the India-US Extradition Treaty proceedings. The extradition was finalized after Rana utilized all legal means to prevent the extradition, as stated by the leading anti-terror organization.

The NIA pointed out that the Central District Court of California had approved his extradition on May 16, 2023. Following this, Rana filed several litigations in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, all of which were dismissed. He then pursued a petition for a writ of certiorari, two habeas petitions, and an emergency application before the US Supreme Court, all of which were also denied. The extradition proceedings were initiated after India secured a surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist from the US government, according to the NIA's statement.

With active collaboration from the US Department of Justice and US Sky Marshals, the agency stated it worked closely with various Indian intelligence agencies and the NSG throughout the extradition process. This also involved the coordination of India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs with relevant authorities in the United States to reach a successful outcome.

The NIA highlighted that Rana is charged with conspiring with David Coleman Headley (also known as Daood Gilani) and members of designated terrorist organizations, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI), along with other co-conspirators based in Pakistan, to execute the catastrophic terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. The attacks resulted in the deaths of 166 individuals and injuries to over 238 others.

Both LeT and HUJI have been designated as terrorist organizations by the Indian government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, as noted in the NIA statement.

In the meantime, security measures have been significantly heightened at the NIA headquarters and Patiala House Court in the national capital in anticipation of Rana's arrival to stand trial in India for his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Rana, who is believed to maintain close links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the terror organization LeT, faces numerous serious charges under Indian law. These charges include criminal conspiracy, waging war against India, murder, forgery, and violations under the UAPA.

Sources indicate that the extradition is under the direct supervision of National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, alongside senior officials from the NIA and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Upon his arrival, Rana is expected to be placed in a high-security section of Delhi's Tihar Jail and will be presented before a Delhi court shortly thereafter.