A day after his extradition to India, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) announced new information regarding Tahawwur Rana's role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
According to the DoJ, Rana reportedly informed co-conspirator David Coleman Headley during the attack that the nine Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists killed in the attack "should be given the Nishan-e-Haider," Pakistan's highest military honor for bravery in the field, which is usually given to soldiers who die in the line of duty.
Rana's extradition to India is a momentous occasion for the pursuit of justice, more than 16 years since the attacks that left 166 people dead. He was officially arrested by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed satisfaction over the extradition: “We extradited Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Together with India, we’ve long sought justice for the 166 people, including six Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. I’m glad that day has come.”
Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian entrepreneur and ex-Pakistan Army Medical Corps member, is charged with having given important logistical assistance to the attackers. He was arrested in Chicago in October 2009, nearly a year following the attacks, and is under serious charges in India, including conspiracy, murder, terrorist activity, and forgery.
The US Department of Justice outlined Rana's role, observing that he allegedly gave a cover to Headley, his old friend, to visit Mumbai. Headley, a U.S. citizen and native Daood Gilani, made pre-attack reconnaissance for the LeT. The DoJ also pointed out that Rana had assisted Headley with fictitious visa applications to Indian authorities and even assisted in opening a Mumbai office of his immigration firm, where Headley was made the office manager without having relevant experience.
On at least two occasions within two years, Headley supposedly met with Rana in Chicago and discussed with him his surveillance work and the plans of the LeT for the Mumbai attacks. Following the attacks, Rana supposedly commented to Headley that the Indians "deserved it" and complimented the nine terrorists who had been killed during the mission and should be given the Nishan-e-Haider for their deeds.
DoJ highlighted that extradition of Rana is an important step towards achieving justice for victims, including six Americans who died in the attack. It further referred to the criminal history of Rana by mentioning that in 2013 he was given a 14-year prison term for his role in conspiring to give material support to LeT and foiled Copenhagen terror plot in Denmark.
The 26/11 attacks by 10 LeT terrorists on Mumbai between November 26 and November 29, 2008, are among the deadliest terror attacks in India's history.
Read also| 26/11 Mastermind Tahawwur Rana Extradited from US, Arrested by NIA in India
