In a major breakthrough in India’s fight against terrorism, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the key conspirators in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) immediately after landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), New Delhi, on Thursday evening.
Rana was extradited from the United States following years of legal proceedings and diplomatic coordination between Indian and American authorities. He arrived on a special flight from Los Angeles, escorted by senior officers from the NIA and National Security Guard (NSG).
A Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, Rana was taken into custody after completing formal immigration and legal procedures. The arrest was the result of sustained efforts by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, and various Indian intelligence agencies, working in close cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice, FBI, and U.S. State Department.
Long Legal Battle Ends in Extradition
Rana had been in U.S. custody under the India-U.S. Extradition Treaty, facing charges filed by the NIA. Despite multiple legal attempts to block his extradition—including an emergency petition to the U.S. Supreme Court—all his appeals were ultimately dismissed.
The extradition was facilitated by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in California, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the FBI’s legal team based in New Delhi.
Accused of Conspiring in 26/11 Mumbai Attacks
Tahawwur Rana is charged with conspiring with David Coleman Headley (a.k.a. Daood Gilani) and operatives from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI), both of which are designated terrorist organizations. Together, they are believed to have planned and executed the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, which left 166 people dead and over 230 injured.
Rana’s extradition and arrest mark a significant step forward in India’s ongoing pursuit of justice for the victims of the 26/11 attacks and sends a strong message that fugitives cannot evade accountability, no matter how long it takes or where they hide.
