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Over 16 years after the horrific 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that left 166 people dead and hundreds injured, a key accused in the conspiracy — Tahawwur Hussain Rana — is finally being brought to face justice in India. His extradition from the United States marks a crucial moment in the long-standing investigation into the worst terror attack on Indian soil. Rana’s role in Mumbai terror attacks was earlier exposed by his childhood friend and co-conspirator David Headley. During his testimony in a Chicago court, Headley revealed that Rana helped him set up a fake immigration office in Mumbai as cover for scouting terror targets.
A US court found him guilty of supporting Lashkar-e-Taiba and a terror plot in Denmark. Headley’s testimony can now play a significant role in India’s case as agencies prepare to question Rana for his role in 26/11.
Security has been stepped up outside Delhi’s Patiala House court where he is likely to appear after his extradition.
Here’s a look at who he is and his link to David Coleman Headley.
Who is Tahawwur Rana?
Tahawwur Rana is a 64-year-old Pakistani-born Canadian national and a former medical officer in the Pakistan Army. He hails from Chichawatni in the Sahiwal district of Punjab province in Pakistan. After studying medicine in Pakistan, Rana joined the military as part of the Army’s medical corps. He eventually left the armed forces and migrated to Canada, where he obtained citizenship.
In the late 1990s, Rana moved to the United States and set up an immigration services business — First World Immigration Services — with offices in Chicago and other cities. This business would later become a cover for his and David Headley’s alleged espionage and terror-related activities in India.
His connection to David Coleman Headley
Rana’s name became prominently linked to the 26/11 case due to his close friendship with David Coleman Headley, the Pakistani-American terrorist who carried out detailed reconnaissance of the 26/11 targets.
Headley, born to a Pakistani father and American mother, spent much of his early life in Pakistan. It was at a military school in Hasan Abdal, Punjab, where he met and befriended Rana. The two maintained their bond over the years, eventually reuniting in the United States.
This friendship would later form the backbone of a deadly conspiracy. Investigators allege that Rana was not only aware of Headley’s links with Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), but actively supported his mission.
Role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks
According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Rana played a significant support role in the planning and execution of the 26/11 attacks. Key allegations include:
- Helping Headley obtain a visa for India, despite his known terror affiliations.
- Allowing Headley to use his business as a front to establish a branch in Mumbai, called Immigrant Law Centre, which served as a cover for scouting potential targets.
- Facilitating and funding Headley’s multiple reconnaissance trips to India between 2006 and 2008. During these trips, Headley visited key sites later attacked — including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Chabad House, and CST railway station.
- Visiting several Indian cities himself, including Delhi, Agra, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai — in some cases with his wife — in the weeks leading up to the attacks.
- According to investigators, Rana had full knowledge of Headley’s mission and was in frequent telephonic contact with him during his stays in India — over 200 phone calls have been cited as evidence.
- Officials say Rana was also in touch with Major Iqbal, an alleged ISI handler, who was named as one of the masterminds behind the attack.
The legal journey and extradition
In 2009, Headley and Rana were arrested by US authorities for plotting attacks in India and Denmark. While Headley pleaded guilty and turned approver — providing a detailed account of the 26/11 conspiracy — Rana continued to deny knowledge of any terror activities.
India had long sought Rana’s extradition. In 2020, the NIA formally requested it, citing his involvement in the 26/11 conspiracy. After prolonged legal proceedings, a US court approved his extradition. Rana made a final appeal to the US Supreme Court, which rejected his petition, clearing the way for his handover to Indian authorities.
What did the FBI and US courts find?
Rana was arrested in the US in 2009. According to the FBI and US prosecutors, he provided material support to two terrorist plots:
The 2008 Mumbai attacks by Lashkar-e-Taiba, in which 166 people, including six Americans, were killed.
A foiled plot to attack the Danish newspaper Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten for publishing cartoons of Prophet Mohammed. The attackers had planned to behead the staff and throw their heads onto the streets of Copenhagen.
In 2011, Rana was convicted in a US court of conspiracy to support terrorism in the Denmark plot and of providing material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba. However, he was acquitted of direct involvement in the Mumbai attacks. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison by US district judge Harry Leinenweber.
“This certainly was a dastardly plot,” said judge Leinenweber while handing down the sentence.
What did David Headley reveal about Rana’s role?
In his testimony during the trial, Headley said that Rana not only knew about Lashkar-e-Taiba’s operations, but also supported him in setting up a front in Mumbai to carry out reconnaissance.
Headley testified that:
- He received Lashkar’s instructions in 2005 to conduct surveillance in India.
- He returned to Chicago and informed Rana about the assignment.
- Rana approved of the plan and allowed Headley to use First World as cover.
- Rana directed staff to prepare documents and help Headley obtain a visa for India.
- Headley spoke with Rana multiple times during his trips to India, including over 60 calls during one visit.
- Headley’s cooperation with US prosecutors was key to Rana’s conviction.
What does the FBI say?
The FBI’s Chicago office and top US prosecutors have strongly condemned Rana’s involvement in terror planning.
- “As established at trial, Tahawwur Rana provided critical support to David Headley and other terrorists from his base in the United States, knowing they were plotting attacks overseas. I thank the many agents, analysts, and prosecutors who helped bring about today’s result,” said Lisa Monaco, assistant attorney general for national security.
- “This serious prison sentence should go a long way towards convincing would-be terrorists that they can’t hide behind the scenes, lend support to the violent aims of terrorist organisations, and escape detection and punishment,” said Gary S Shapiro, acting US attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
- “It is my hope that the judge’s decision today sends a message to those who plot attacks and those who provide the support to make the plots possible, both here and abroad, that you will be held accountable for your actions. Our mission, detecting and preventing terrorist acts and eliminating the enabling support provided by terrorist sympathisers, remains our top priority,” added Cory B Nelson, FBI’s special agent in charge in Chicago.
What happens next?
Rana is expected to be produced before a special NIA court at Patiala House in Delhi. Security has been heightened in and around the court complex, with personnel from Delhi Police and paramilitary forces deployed. Tihar Jail authorities have said they are prepared to house Rana in a high-security ward, pending court directions.
The NIA is expected to seek his custodial interrogation to further probe his links with terror outfits, Pakistani intelligence handlers and his role in the execution of the attacks.
Officials say Rana’s questioning could provide:
- Fresh leads about Pakistan’s state role in the attacks.
- Clarity on the planning and funding of the 26/11 carnage.
- Information on Rana’s other associates in India and abroad.
- Evidence against absconding accused like LeT chief Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, and ISI officers.
Tahawwur Rana’s return to India after over a decade could be a key moment in unravelling the full conspiracy behind one of the worst terror attacks in the country’s history.
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