Tahawwur Hussain Rana is a former Pakistani military physician, born on January 12, 1961, in Chichawatni, Punjab Pakistan and later became a Canadian citizen and businessman. He is majorly known for his role in international terrorism activities, including his link to the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
All about Tahawwur Hussain Rana
Rana received his college education from Cadet College Hasan Abdal, a prestigious military residential institution in Pakistan, where he befriended David Headley (formerly Daood Gilani). He immigrated to Canada along with his wife in 1997 who is also a physician. In June 2001, Rana acquired Canadian citizenship. He did several businesses with a prime focus on immigration services.
Involvement in Terrorism activities
Rana was arrested along with his childhood friend David Headley in October 2009 for planning attacks against the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten known for publishing controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Further investigations were done and it was disclosed that he travelled to Mumbai and stayed at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, one of the sites that were targeted during the Mumbai 2008 terror attacks. However, Rana maintained he visited India because of his immigration consultancy business but evidence suggested otherwise.
As per information on the official website of the US Department of Justice, a federal jury convicted Rana in 2011 for providing material support to the Pakistani terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba and for his role in the plotting against the Danish newspaper. However, he was acquitted of his charges related to the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Later, in January 2013, he was sentenced to prison for 14 years.
India has for long wanted Rana’s extradition to prosecute him for his alleged involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks. After a prolonged legal battle, the US Supreme Court has approved his extradition and has refused to accept his final plea to avoid being handed over to the Indian authorities. Rana is currently held in Los Angeles.