New Delhi [India]: Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was brought to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters late on Thursday, shortly after his extradition from the United States.
Rana, who was produced before the Special NIA Court earlier in the evening, has been remanded to 18 days of NIA custody. The anti-terror agency said that it will conduct detailed questioning during this period to uncover the complete conspiracy behind the deadly 2008 attacks, which left 166 people dead and over 238 injured.
“Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured in the deadly attacks. Both LeT and HUJI have been declared as terrorist organisations by the Government of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967,” the NIA said.
According to investigators, Rana’s custodial interrogation is vital to expose his full role in the planning and execution of the attacks. The agency has submitted compelling evidence, including emails sent by Rana, to justify the need for extended police custody.
The NIA further stated that co-accused David Coleman Headley had discussed the entire operation with Rana before his visit to India. Anticipating potential obstacles, Headley even sent an email to Rana outlining his assets and naming key operatives like Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman involved in the terror plot.
The NIA has called Rana’s extradition a significant milestone after years of legal proceedings in the United States under the India–US Extradition Treaty. He was held in judicial custody there until he exhausted all legal avenues to prevent the transfer.