Washington DC [US]: The United States has reiterated its strong support for India in combating global terrorism, following the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana. The key conspirator was handed over to Indian authorities on April 9 to face trial for his role in orchestrating the 2008 terror attacks.
During a press briefing on Thursday (local time), US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that the United States remains committed to ensuring that those responsible for the Mumbai attacks are brought to justice.
“On April 9th, the United States extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face justice for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks… These attacks resulted in the tragic loss of 166 lives, including six Americans, that shocked the entire world,” Bruce stated.
“The United States has long supported India’s efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice, and as President Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism. He is in their possession, and we are very proud of that dynamic,” she added.
The extradition comes after years of legal proceedings and cooperation under the India–US Extradition Treaty. Rana had been in judicial custody in the US, and the extradition was completed only after he exhausted all legal avenues to contest the move.
Earlier today, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) formally took custody of Rana. He was brought to the NIA headquarters on Thursday night and was produced before a Special NIA Court, which granted the agency 18 days of custodial interrogation.
The NIA has presented evidence, including email communications, to justify Rana’s police custody. According to the agency, Rana conspired with David Coleman Headley (also known as Daood Gilani), and other operatives from terrorist organizations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI), to carry out the coordinated attacks across Mumbai in November 2008.
The NIA revealed that Headley had shared extensive details of the plot with Rana ahead of his visit to India. Headley also informed him about the involvement of Pakistani operatives Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman.
“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,” the NIA said in an earlier statement.