A high-level interrogation team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will interrogate Tahawwur Rana, one of the main accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, soon after his arrival in India, official sources said on Thursday.
The interrogation team shall consist of two Inspector Generals (IGs), a Deputy Inspector General (DIG), and a Superintendent of Police (SP). Officials from the intelligence agencies are also going to be involved in the questioning process, sources stated.
Due to the sensitive and high-profile nature of the case, the Delhi Police's special SWAT team has been deployed to secure the movement of the NIA officers involved.
Additional fortifying the security machinery, the Delhi Police Special Cell has been put on high alert, and SWAT commandos have been deployed at the airport to supervise the arrival operation.
As part of the strict security setup, the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and local police have been charged with securing the outer perimeter of security.
The officials have ensured that all precautions were taken to ensure the safe transport and custody of Rana, who is rated as a high-risk detainee. Security around the NIA headquarters in New Delhi has also been beefed up.
Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is being extradited from the US after a long legal tug-of-war. He flew out of the U.S. on April 9 on a specially ordered chartered flight, and his arrival in Delhi is imminent. On his arrival, he will be officially taken into custody by the NIA and is expected to be produced before a Delhi court soon afterwards.
Officials have said they have prepared a safe high-security wing in Tihar Jail where Rana will be accommodated after he makes his court appearance.
One of the known associates of David Coleman Headley (also known as Dawood Gilani), a key participant in the planning of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Rana is charged with a series of serious offences. These include sections under the Indian Penal Code for conspiracy, waging war against the nation, murder, and forgery, and several offenses under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Though the extradition is a significant milestone in the case, Mumbai Police have still not received official word on when Rana will be handed over to the city for legal action. He is also reportedly close to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, which conducted the horrific attacks that claimed 166 lives.
The mission to relocate Rana to India has been a joint collaboration between the NIA and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), representing a notable milestone in India's ongoing pursuit of justice for 26/11 victims.
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