New Delhi [India]: A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is preparing to visit the United States to finalize the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, sources revealed.
This development follows the US Supreme Court’s recent decision rejecting Rana’s review petition challenging his extradition to India, removing a significant legal hurdle and expediting efforts to bring him to justice.
According to sources, senior officials of the NIA, including those at the Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General ranks, are expected to travel to the US by the end of this month. Coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs has already been initiated regarding the visit.
Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, is accused of facilitating the reconnaissance missions carried out by David Coleman Headley, the primary planner of the Mumbai attacks. Rana’s immigration business was allegedly used as a cover for Headley’s travel to India, where he identified potential targets for the attacks.
Arrested in Chicago in 2009 by the FBI, Rana was convicted in the US for providing support to the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which was responsible for the 26/11 attacks. However, he was acquitted of charges directly linking him to the attacks.
India has been persistent in seeking Rana’s extradition, emphasizing his role in aiding and abetting the attacks that resulted in 166 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The NIA has underscored Rana’s significance as a co-conspirator in one of the country’s worst terror incidents.
The US Supreme Court’s dismissal of Rana’s appeal has injected momentum into the extradition process. The impending visit by the NIA team underlines India’s commitment to securing justice for the victims and ensuring accountability for those involved in the heinous attack.