Tahawwur Rana, the individual who masterminded the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has been extradited from California to India on a special flight on Thursday. The first image of Rana being led out of Palam Airport in Delhi was shared on social media.
The photo doesn’t reveal Rana’s face, but it does show his long white beard and two officers from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) holding his arms. Rana was clothed in brown clothing.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday evening formally arrested Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the key conspirator in the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, immediately after his arrival at IGIA, New Delhi, following his successful extradition from the United States.… pic.twitter.com/Tg3GBrjbo5
— ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2025
Rana, 64, who was born in Pakistan and is a Canadian national, is closely associated with David Coleman Headley, who is also known as Daood Gilani. He has been extradited from the United States to stand trial in India for his involvement in 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed approximately 170 and injured many more.
Once Rana arrives back, he will be taken in a bulletproof car from Palam Airport to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters. Commandos of Delhi Police Special Cell are already deployed. According to the reports, a special interrogation cell has also been prepared.
Rana is suspected of having close ties with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba and is allegedly facing several serious IPC charges in India including conspiracy, waging war against the Government of India, murder, forgery, and offenses under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
After his arrival, Rana is likely to be lodged in a high-security ward at Delhi’s Tihar Jail and produced before a Delhi court. As per reports, he will also be taken to Mumbai as part of the trial. However, officials from the Mumbai Police have stated that they are yet to receive formal communication regarding Rana’s transfer to the city.
Around 170 people were killed in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in which 10 Pakistani terrorists laid a more than 60-hour siege, attacking and killing people at iconic and vital locations in Mumbai. Among the deceased were six Americans.
