Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who is being extradited from the US, is likely to be lodged in a high-security ward in Tihar jail here when he reaches India, prison sources said. After boarding the extradition flight yesterday, April 9, his flight has been enters in the Indian airspace as per reports. Under the protection of swat commandos this joint operation between R&AW and NIA is a historic moment to avenge the damage done in Mumbai.

Rana, 64, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and close associate of one of the main conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen. Rana is being brought to India after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed as the US Supreme Court justices rejected his application.

Tahawwur Rana’s landed in Delhi

Tahawwur Rana’s flight landed at Palam Airport at 6:31 pm, where Senior Public Prosecutor Mann and Senior Advocate Krishnan were in attendance. A medical examination is currently being conducted at the airport. Once completed, Rana will be formally arrested and taken to Patiala House Court for further legal proceedings.

Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, expressed his support for the recent development

“We are encouraged to learn about the extradition to India of one of the individuals responsible for the horrific terrorist attacks in Mumbai on 26th November 2008, which claimed the lives of over 170 innocent people, including Israeli citizens. I extend my gratitude to the Government of India for its unwavering commitment to ensuring the perpetrators are brought to justice,” Azar said.

NIA initiated the arrest procedure

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has initiated the arrest procedure for 26/11 terror accused Tahawwur Rana following his arrival at Delhi’s Palam airport.The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has initiated the arrest procedure for 26/11 terror accused Tahawwur Rana following his arrival at Delhi’s Palam airport.

Who is Narender Mann? Tahawwur Rana’s prosecutor

The Centre has appointed a special public prosecutor to oversee the trial of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, an accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, who is being extradited from the United States and is expected to arrive in India on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Narender Mann, a seasoned legal professional, has previously represented the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in several high-profile cases, including the 2018 SSC paper leak scandal, according to reports.

Mann’s appointment comes just ahead of the arrival of 64-year-old Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin. Arrested in the US in 2009, he is a key accused in the 26/11 attacks and will reportedly be lodged in a high-security cell at Delhi’s Tihar Jail upon his arrival.

Piyush Goyal comments on Rana’s extradition

Piyush Goyal, the Minister of Commerce condemned Congress for “not doing anything” to punish those involved in the 26/11 attacks. Taking a jibe at the former leaders, he said that terrorist Kasab was “served biryani” in his holding cell. He told ANI that, “every Indian citizen is proud of PM Modi that those involved will be punished on this land”.

Rana had planned to attack Delhi

According to officials, a multi-agency team had gone to the US to bring him to India. In the dossier uncovered, Times of India revealed that Rana along with other terrorists had also conspired to target the National Defence College, India Gate in Delhi and many Jewish centres. The NIA chargesheet also names co-conspirors, Headley, Hafiz, Saeed, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Ilias Kashmiri, Sajid Meer and Major Ikbal Samet.

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On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India’s financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea. More than 160 lives were lost in the 60-hour terror attack sending global shockwaves bringing India and Pakistan to the brink of a war.

Rana’s diplomatic justice

Public prosecutor Narendra Mann will be representing the 26/11 plotter after his Delhi trial has been approved. Rana is likely to appear before an NIA judge in the Patiala House Court. While all necessary preparations have been made for a high-security cell at Tihar Jail as per PTI, there have been careful security measures taken for the accused.

In a public statement, Amit Shah commented on Tawwahur Rana’s return by saying that his extradition was Modi government’s big achievement pointing out the then government’s inefficiency to arrest the accused and bring him to India. As he will tried under the Indian constitution and laws, it will be big deal for the country, he said in Hindi.

Senior Advocate Memom commented on the delay in Tahawwur’s extradition which led to delayed justice while still connoting it as an “achievement” for the Indian government as a means to provide justice to the hundreds who lost their life to the terror attack.

Who is Tahawwur Rana?

Born in Pakistan in 1961, Rana served as the Pakistan Army Medical Corps captain. As he turned into a businessman, his immigration services firm allowed him to maintain close ties with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the Islamist militant group. Responsible for orchestrating the 26/11 attacks, Rana has been closely with terrorist David Headley who held a key role in the 2008 Mumbai attack.

Rana helped Headley to attain the Indian visa and facilitate Indian logistical operations to carry out a 60-hour attack in Mumbai. He was a key player in organising, plotting and arranging the terror attack on India featuring a series of bomb blasts. His return to India is a key moment in diplomatic history and global politics.