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Pakistan-born Canadian citizen Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 64, who played a key role in the devastating terror attacks, was brought to India from the US.
EAM S Jaishankar and US’ Marco Rubio. (File)
Tahawwur Rana Extradition: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday hailed the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in Mumbai’s 26/11 terror attacks, saying the US pursued justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks.
“We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Together, with India, we’ve long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. I’m glad that day has come,” he said in a post on X.
We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Together, with India, we’ve long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. I’m glad that day…— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 11, 2025
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar responded to Rubio’s post appreciating the counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries.
Appreciate the counter-terrorism cooperation between our two countries. This is indeed a big step in ensuring justice for the victims of 26/11 attacks. @SecRubio https://t.co/7jRRbfleyo— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 11, 2025
Earlier on Thursday, US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce also hailed the successful extradition of Rana.
“On April 9, the United States extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face justice for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks,” Bruce said at a media briefing in Washington.
“Some people watching may not remember these, but I encourage you to look them up and to find out exactly how horrible this was and the importance of the situation today,” she said, adding that the attack “shocked the entire world”.
“As President (Donald) Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism. He is in their possession and we are very proud of that dynamic,” she added.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in February this year, President Trump confirmed the extradition of Rana to India.
Pakistan-born Canadian citizen Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 64, who played a key role in the devastating terror attacks, was brought to India from the US in a special chartered Gulfstream G550 aircraft on Thursday. The NIA team had travelled to the US after the country’s Supreme Court dismissed Rana’s review plea seeking an emergency stay on his extradition to India.
Rana was remanded to 18-day National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody in a late Thursday night court decision. At around 11 am on Friday, the probe agency switched on its interrogation mode with Rana, who would be grilled for his role in the planning and plotting of the 26/11 attacks. The investigative agency will focus on three aspects of interrogation – the Mumbai terror attacks plot, the role of Pakistan’s ISI in the attacks, and Rana’s links with the terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba that carried out the attacks.
Rana, identified as one of the masterminds of the deadly 26/11 attacks, has been charged with criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government of India, murder and forgery and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
He is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley, also known as Daood Gilani and operatives of Pakistan-based terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) to execute the attacks.
A 12-member team of NIA, led by DG Sadanand Date, will grill Rana during his custody.
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)