10 April,2025 09:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Tahawwur Rana`s first image after his extradition to India. Pic/Instagram
The Centre has released the first image of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Rana, who landed in the national capital on Thursday evening, following his extradition from the US.
A post on the Centre's Instagram handle @mygovindia read, "26/11 mastermind Tahawwur Rana has been formally arrested by NIA upon arrival in Delhi, following his extradition from the US. Escorted by NSG and NIA officials, Rana now faces trial for his role in one of India's deadliest terror attacks."
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Rana will now face legal proceedings in India. According to official sources, his interrogation is expected to shed light on the involvement of Pakistani state actors in the 2008 attacks that claimed 166 lives, reported news agency PTI.
Investigators are also hoping to gather key information about his travels across parts of northern and southern India just days before the attacks. Sources said that between November 13 and 21, 2008, Rana visited Hapur and Agra in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai with his wife Samraz Rana Akhtar.
Officials believe his travel itinerary may point to a larger conspiracy, possibly involving planned attacks at multiple locations across the country. The exact nature and purpose of these visits will be confirmed during interrogation, PTI reported.
Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistan-born Canadian national, was brought to India on a special flight by a multi-agency team comprising law enforcement officials and senior government representatives. His extradition followed a recent decision by the US Supreme Court to reject his plea challenging the move.
Rana, who was lodged at a metropolitan detention centre in Los Angeles, is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out coordinated attacks on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre after sneaking into Mumbai through the Arabian sea.
Among the 166 people killed were US, British and Israeli nationals. The nearly 60-hour assault sent shockwaves across the country and even brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war.
(With PTI inputs)
