26/11 Accused Tahawwur Rana Being Brought Back to India, NIA to Arrest Him on Arrival

In a major development in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, Tahawwur Hussain Rana—one of India’s most wanted accused—is finally being extradited from the United States to face trial. A special flight carrying the 64-year-old departed from the US today, and he is expected to land in Delhi tomorrow afternoon, according to top sources.

Upon arrival, Rana will be taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). A joint team from the NIA and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is escorting him on the flight, marking a significant step in India’s long pursuit of justice for the 2008 terror attacks that claimed 166 lives.

Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin who lived in Chicago, has been charged with criminal conspiracy, waging war against the Indian government, murder, and forgery under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He is likely to be produced in a Delhi court soon after landing, though Mumbai Police have not yet been informed of his transfer to the city.

The case against Rana gained momentum after Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley—one of the prime accused in the 26/11 attacks—testified that Rana provided both financial and logistical support for the planning. Headley had used Rana’s immigration consultancy firm as a cover while conducting surveillance of the attack sites across Mumbai.

Rana was initially arrested by the FBI in Chicago in 2009 and later convicted in the US for his role in a separate terror conspiracy targeting a newspaper office in Copenhagen. His extradition to India comes after a prolonged legal battle in US courts, where he exhausted all possible avenues to block the move.

In a significant diplomatic moment, former US President Donald Trump had publicly confirmed the approval of Rana’s extradition during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Calling Rana “one of the very evil people of the world,” Trump had emphasized the need for justice for the victims of the 26/11 attacks.

The 2008 attacks, which shook India to its core, targeted major landmarks including hotels, a train station, and a Jewish center in Mumbai. India holds the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba responsible for orchestrating the carnage, although Pakistan continues to deny state involvement.

Rana’s extradition marks a turning point in India’s efforts to bring all 26/11 perpetrators to justice, even after more than 16 years.

News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”