Following his extradition from the United States, Tahawwur Rana has arrived in India to face charges related to the devastating 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
Images released by the US Justice Department depict the transfer of custody, showing Mr. Rana accompanied by US Marshals as he was handed over to officials from India’s Ministry of External Affairs on April 9th at a secure location. He appeared in a standard-issue beige prison uniform.
The events of November 26-29, 2008, remain etched in memory; during those days, Mumbai endured a brutal assault orchestrated by ten gunmen affiliated with the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The attacks were meticulously planned and executed, resulting in widespread loss of life and immense suffering.
Mr. Rana is accused not of direct involvement in the violence itself, but of facilitating the conditions that made the attacks possible. It’s alleged he utilized his Chicago immigration business as a cover to assist David Coleman Headley—originally known as Daood Gilani—a childhood friend and co-conspirator, allowing him to travel repeatedly to India using forged identification.
As stated by an official source:
“The charges against Mr. Rana highlight the crucial role individuals can play in enabling acts of terrorism, even without directly participating in the violence.”
Further details are forthcoming.
