'Mastermind of deadly 26/11 Mumbai attacks ...': NIA secures Tahawwur Rana's extradition

NIA officials with Tahawwur Rana after his arrest in Delhi on April 10. (Courtesy: NIA)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on April 10 successfully secured the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that claimed 166 lives. A Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, Rana landed in Delhi's Palam airport in a special plane today.

Confirming the development, the law enforcement agency released a statement and said it secured Rana's extradition "after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice".

Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition. The agency said that the extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move.

Two months back, US President Donald Trump announced that his administration has approved the extradition of the 'very evil' Rana. "He is going to be going back to India to face justice," Trump said.

"With the active assistance of USDoJ, the US Sky Marshal, NIA worked closely with other Indian intelligence agencies, NSG through the entire extradition process, which also saw India's Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs coordinating with the other relevant authorities in the United States to take the matter to its successful conclusion", the agency statement read.

Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the the three-day terror siege. Both LeT and HUJI have been declared terrorist organisations by the Indian government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

"The extradition proceedings were initiated between the two countries after India eventually secured a surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist from the US government," the NIA said.

The 64-year-old has been charged with criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government, murder and forgery and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The District Court for the Central District of California had ordered Rana's extradition on May 16, 2023. He had appealed to US courts challenging the extradition to India, citing multiple ailments including Parkinson's disease with cognitive decline and possible bladder cancer. However, the courts turned down his petition, paving the way for his extradition.