Tahawwur Rana Refutes Involvement in Mumbai Terrorism During Questioning
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Synopsis
Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, has denied involvement during his interrogation by the Mumbai Crime Branch. He claimed he had no connection to the planning or execution of the attack, attributing the reconnaissance to co-accused David Coleman Headley. Rana's uncooperative responses have raised questions during the ongoing investigation.
Key Takeaways
- Tahawwur Rana denies role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
- Claims no connection to attack planning.
- Attributes reconnaissance to David Coleman Headley.
- Investigation continues into Lashkar-e-Taiba and ISI involvement.
- Rana was extradited from the United States.
Mumbai, April 26 (NationPress) Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian individual accused of participating in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, has categorically rejected any involvement in the conspiracy during his questioning by the Mumbai Crime Branch.
As per senior officials, Rana, who is in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Delhi, underwent over eight hours of questioning by a team from the Mumbai Police.
Throughout the interrogation, Rana distanced himself from the attacks that resulted in the loss of over 166 lives and left hundreds injured on November 26, 2008.
He allegedly informed investigators that he had no connection whatsoever with the planning or execution of the assault.
Rana also asserted that his childhood friend and co-accused, David Coleman Headley, was solely accountable for the reconnaissance and planning phases.
Headley, who became an approver in the case, previously acknowledged conducting reconnaissance missions throughout India, including in Mumbai, on behalf of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
During the questioning, Rana mentioned that in addition to Mumbai and Delhi, he had traveled to Kerala.
When inquired about the reason for his visit to Kerala, he claimed he went there to meet an acquaintance and provided the individual’s name and address to the agency.
Following this, sources indicated that a team from the Mumbai Crime Branch might soon head to Kerala to verify his claims and question the mentioned individual.
Officials disclosed that Rana was largely uncooperative during the interrogation, often giving evasive responses.
He also cited memory lapses, claiming he could not recall specific details related to the attack that transpired over 17 years ago.
This interrogation is part of an ongoing investigation by the NIA into the extensive three-year groundwork conducted by Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) prior to the Mumbai terror attacks.
Rana is also being interrogated regarding his alleged connections to several individuals whose names emerged in intercepted communications, including Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed, Sajid Majid, Ilyas Kashmiri, and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi -- all of whom are believed to have played significant roles in the 26/11 conspiracy.
Rana, a former officer of the Pakistan Army’s Medical Corps, was recently extradited to India from the United States to face justice in connection with the Mumbai attack case.
