Security was ramped up across the national capital on Thursday as Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, was extradited to India from the United States nearly 16 years after his initial arrest. Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is expected to provide critical information on the 26/11 attack, including the involvement of Pakistani state actors.
Rana will be taken to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters from Delhi’s Palam airport in a bulletproof vehicle, escorted by a high-security convoy that includes armoured vehicles and a standby “marksman” car, the India Today reported.
“The Delhi Police Special Cell has been put on alert. SWAT commandos have already been deployed at the airport,” the India Today quoted a highly-placed source as saying.
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The “marksman” vehicle, known for its combat-level protection and resistance to explosive or ballistic threats, has been kept ready to deal with any untoward incident. It is typically used to transport high-risk individuals, such as terrorists and gang lords, to ensure maximum protection.
Rana to be Officially Arrested, Sent to Tihar Jail
Upon arrival, Rana will be formally arrested by the NIA and produced virtually before a court before being remanded to judicial custody. He will be lodged in a high-security ward at Tihar Jail, one of India’s most secure prisons.
Officials said his interrogation will focus on exposing Pakistan’s alleged state sponsorship of the 26/11 attacks. Rana has been accused by the NIA of facilitating reconnaissance missions through his immigration consultancy firm, which were carried out by Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley, a key operative who is currently serving a sentence in the US.
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“We believe Rana’s questioning could reveal deeper links between Pakistan’s intelligence services and the 26/11 operation,” an NIA official stated.
The 26/11 Attacks: A Dark Day in India’s History
On November 26, 2008, ten operatives of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) carried out coordinated terror attacks across 12 high-profile locations in Mumbai, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident, CST Railway Station, and Leopold Café.
The horrific three-day siege left 166 people dead, including foreign nationals, and wounded over 300. One terrorist, Ajmal Kasab, was caught alive and later executed in 2012 after a high-profile trial.
Global Attention on High-Profile Extradition
Rana’s extradition follows years of legal wrangling in the United States, where Indian authorities successfully convinced courts that the accused was directly complicit in one of the worst terror attacks on Indian soil. His arrival in India marks a significant milestone in the 26/11 investigation and reflects deeper counterterrorism cooperation between New Delhi and Washington, D.C.
Rana, a former Pakistani military doctor turned businessman, allegedly used his business as a front for terrorist logistics and planning.
Security officials believe his interrogation could bring to light new intelligence on terror financing, operational planning, and possibly even direct links to ISI handlers and masterminds behind the attacks.
