New Delhi: Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian national and former Pakistan Army captain, has reportedly confessed to receiving terror training alongside David Coleman Headley from the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He is currently in the custody of India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) and being held at Tihar Jail in Delhi.
Rana, who was extradited to India on April 10, is accused of playing a significant role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Sources cited by India Today claim that Rana described himself as a “trusted agent” of the Pakistani Army, admitting to active involvement in planning the attacks that killed 166 people, including civilians, foreign nationals, and security personnel.
Revealed Links to LeT and ISI
According to investigators, “He inspected places like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and believed that the 26/11 attacks were carried out in collaboration with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).”
Rana reportedly confirmed that both he and David Headley, his childhood friend, underwent multiple training sessions with LeT, which he claimed functioned largely as an intelligence-gathering organisation.
HT.com could not independently verify the confessions reported by the sources.
Surveillance of Mumbai Targets
Sources say Rana acknowledged being in Mumbai during the 26/11 attacks and surveying strategic locations such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus as part of the terrorists’ operational planning. His role was said to be crucial in helping Headley conduct surveillance of targets like the Taj Hotel, Oberoi Hotel, Jewish Centre, and Shivaji Terminus, all of which were hit during the 60-hour siege.
Past Military Deployments
The 64-year-old further claimed that he had once been deployed to Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War on the instructions of the Pakistani Army.
Rana now faces charges under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for conspiring with operatives from LeT and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI)—both designated terror organisations—along with other Pakistan-based handlers.