'He is Canadian': Pakistan distances itself from Tahawwur Rana

Tahawwur Rana

Pakistan on Thursday distanced itself from 26/11 key conspirator Tahawwur Rana, calling him a Canadian national following his extradition to India.

"Tahawwur Rana has not renewed his Pakistani documents for over two decades. His Canadian nationality is very clear," news agency Ani reported citing Pakistan’s foreign affairs spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan.

Rana is Canadian national of Pakistani-origin who is set to face trial in India for his role in the 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai that claimed over 160 lives.

He was arrested in October 2009 along with David Coleman Headley, the co-conspirator, who is being held in a separate case. He allegedly facilitated the attack by conducting reconnaissance missions and providing support to Headley. He used his immigration services company as a front to help Headley pose as a US national while gathering intelligence in India.

The US Secretary of State authorized Rana's extradition to India by signing the surrender warrant on February 11.

The 26/11 Mumbai attacks were among the deadliest terrorist attacks in India’s history, killing 166 and injuring hundreds. 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists targeted multiple locations across the city, including the Taj Hotel, CST railway station on November 26, 2008. Ajmal Kasab was the lone attacker who was nabbed alive and executed in 2012.