Recent reports indicate that Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has made significant revelations while in the custody of India's National Investigation Agency (NIA). Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian who had previously served as a doctor in the Pakistan Army, reportedly admitted to being a "trusted agent" of the Pakistan Army and was present in Mumbai during the attacks.
Rana's extradition from the United States to India marked a major breakthrough for the agencies investigating the Mumbai attacks. The US Supreme Court rejected his review petition against extradition, paving the way for his transfer to India. Upon arrival in India, Rana was presented before a special NIA court, which initially granted the NIA 18 days of custody for interrogation. Later, the court extended Rana's NIA custody by 12 more days.
During interrogation by the Mumbai Crime Branch, Rana has reportedly been uncooperative and provided evasive answers. The NIA is focusing on Rana's role in the 26/11 attacks, his connections to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and potential sleeper cells in India. The agency is also examining call detail records between Rana and David Coleman Headley, another key conspirator in the attacks, as well as Rana's associations with individuals linked to the Pakistani army and the ISI.
The 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, executed by 10 terrorists associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), resulted in the deaths of 166 people. The attacks targeted various locations in Mumbai, including a railway station, luxury hotels, and a Jewish center. Ajmal Kasab, one of the terrorists, was captured alive, and his subsequent interrogation provided valuable information about the conspiracy.
Rana's alleged involvement includes providing logistical and financial support for the attacks. He owned an immigration consultancy firm in Chicago, which was purportedly used by David Headley for his travels to India to conduct reconnaissance of targets. Reports suggest Rana was aware of Headley's terror links and assisted in planning the attacks. After the attacks, Rana allegedly told Headley that Indians deserved it and commended the terrorists.
Pakistani authorities have denied any connection to Rana, with a foreign office spokesperson stating that he is a Canadian national who has not renewed his Pakistani documents for over two decades. However, a letter from the Pakistani embassy in Washington DC to its consulate in Los Angeles, dated August 14, 2023, contradicts Pakistan's claims of having no connection to Rana for two decades.
The NIA's investigation aims to uncover the full extent of Rana's involvement, expose the role of Pakistani state actors in the attacks, and potentially shed new light on the larger conspiracy. Rana's interrogation may also help identify other individuals involved and prevent future terror attacks.
