Brought to India: Key Conspirator in 26/11 Attacks
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) successfully brought Tahawwur Hussain Rana back to India after his extradition from the United States, following its significant breakthrough in the 26/11 Mumbai attack terrorism case. A Canadian national of Pakistani origin, Rana had been living in Chicago before arriving in New Delhi on a special flight from Los Angeles, escorted by senior NIA officials and those from the National Security Guard (NSG).
Formal Arrest and Court Proceedings
Soon after that, at the same airport, NIA officials officially arrested him upon completion of all legal formalities at Indira Gandhi International. After a medical examination, he appeared before a special NIA judge at the Patiala House Court late Wednesday night. The agency sought 20 days of custodial interrogation, but the court granted 18 days of NIA custody.
Years of diplomatic and legal endeavours bear fruit.
After years of sustained diplomatic and legal efforts, the extradition of Rana to Indian authorities ended such activities. He has been in US judicial custody due to proceedings initiated by the National Investigation Agency under the India-US Extradition Treaty. His last-minute plea to the US Supreme Court is among the multiple appeals that he lodged but failed.
This extradition was made possible through the joint efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the US Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, FBI’s Legal Attaché Office in New Delhi, US Marshals Service, and the US Department of State’s Office of the Legal Adviser’s for Law Enforcement.
Terror Connections with Headley, LeT, and HUJI
Rana is blamed for cooperating with David Coleman Headley, alias Daood Gilani, a key reconnaissance operative in the attacks; according to NIA investigators, Rana provided logistical and financial support to Headley, who coordinated with Pakistan-based terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihad Islami (HUJI).
Both of these organisations are declared banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and have been associated with incidents leading to the deaths of 166 people and over 230 injuries across locations like the Taj Hotel, Oberoi Trident, CST station, and Nariman House.
Expected Revelations and Further Investigations
Rana’s extradition and ongoing interrogation are expected to shed new light on the attacks of 2008. Investigators believe that he will provide a considerable number of leads regarding the wider international network of conspirators, handlers, and financiers of the entire operation, many of whom are suspected to conduct their operations from Pakistani territory.
The NIA will investigate the network and its role in aiding Headley during his trips to India before the attacks. According to officials, Rana’s enquiries have surfaced empty-handed because his previous records show he was possibly working as an agent. Source newsonair.gov.in
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