Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin and one of the accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has been extradited from the United States and placed in the custody of India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA). Upon his arrival in Delhi on Thursday evening, the 64-year-old was immediately arrested by NIA officials and presented before a special court later in the day.

The agency sought18 days of police custodyciting the need for extensive custodial interrogation to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy behind the deadly attacks that killed 166 people in Mumbai. Strong evidence, including email records and statements from the co-accused, was submitted to justify the custody request. Rana may be shifted to Tihar Jail in Delhi before being moved to Mumbai to stand trial.

Role in 26/11 Attacks and Connection to David Headley

Tahawwur Rana is accused of being a key accomplice in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the primary conspirators in the case, had named Rana as a crucial facilitator. Headley testified that Rana provided both logistical and financial assistance in the planning and execution of the attack.

According to the charge sheet filed by Indian authorities, Rana helped Headley set up a business front in Mumbai called the Immigrant Law Centre. This venture gave Headley a legitimate cover for traveling to various Indian cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Pushkar, Goa, and Pune, during his reconnaissance missions. Notably, Rana also traveled to India in November 2008, around the time of the attacks.

Legal Proceedings and Extradition from the US

Rana was first arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States in October 2009. At the time, he was charged with providing material support to terrorist groups and for his role in a foiled plot to attack the office of a Danish newspaper in Copenhagen. In 2011, he was convicted in the US for supporting Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the organization that carried out the Mumbai attacks.

After serving time in the US, Rana contested the extradition to India on health grounds, stating that he suffered from several medical conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, possible bladder cancer, and an abdominal aortic aneurysm that posed an immediate health risk. However, US courts dismissed his appeals, clearing the way for his extradition.

His transfer to India came just two months after former US President Donald Trump, during a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced that the US had approved the extradition of the "very evil" Rana. Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde hailed the move and congratulated the Prime Minister in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

International and Political Reactions

While India has welcomed Rana’s extradition as a step toward justice, Pakistan has distanced itself from him. Officials have stated that Rana had not renewed his Pakistani documents for more than two decades and that he holds Canadian nationality, thus attempting to disassociate from his actions and involvement.

The 2008 Mumbai attacks, which lasted for three harrowing days, targeted multiple locations across the city, including the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Oberoi Trident, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), and the Jewish community center known as Chabad House. Out of the 10 attackers, nine were killed by Indian security forces, while one, Ajmal Kasab, was captured alive. He was later tried and executed in 2012.

With Rana now in NIA custody, Indian authorities hope to unravel more profound layers of the 26/11 conspiracy and hold all responsible parties accountable.