The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday evening, April 10, released the first photograph of Tahawwur Rana, the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. India secured the extradition of the 64-year-old accused after 14 years. The photo shared by the central investigative agency shows Rana being held by NIA officers on both his left and right sides.
In the photo released by the NIA, Rana is seen wearing a maroon prison-style jumper with grey sleeves. He is standing alongside three NIA officers. He was immediately arrested upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi.
26/11 attacks mastermind is a Canadian national of Pakistani origin living primarily in Chicago and was escorted to India by teams of the National Security Guard (NSG) and NIA, comprising senior officials, on a special plane from Los Angeles. Raha was being held in the USA and was in judicial custody when NIA took the extradition.
After 64-year-old mastermind put several litigation and appeals before the US Supreme Court, Rana was handed over to India, with help of the active assistance of US Deparment of Justice's office of International Affairs, US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, US Marshals Service, the FBI’s Legal Attache Office in New Delhi, and US Department of State’s Office of the Legal Adviser for Law Enforcement. The premier anti-terror agency said in a statement.
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The diligent and persistent efforts of India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs culminated in securing the surrender warrant for the fugitive, leading to his eventual extradition, the NIA said
Rana, who is believed to have had lose ties with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the terror outfit LeT, faces multiple serious charges under Indian law. These include criminal conspiracy, waging war against India, murder, forgery, and violations under the UAPA.