Final Countdown: 26/11 Accused Tahawwur Rana Set To Be Extradited To India in High-Security Transit On Thursday

Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is expected to be extradited to India from the United States and arrive in New Delhi on Thursday afternoon, senior Indian security officials have confirmed.

Five-member Indian team, led by a DIG-rank officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), left Los Angeles at 7.10pm IST on Wednesday in a private jet after completing the extradition formalities. The aircraft is expected to make a brief refuelling stop in Europe before reaching Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Sources said Rana was moved from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles and handed over to Indian authorities after all paperwork and legal processes were wrapped up in coordination with US officials.

According to officials, the aircraft is scheduled to land on Runway No. 4 at the Delhi airport. In anticipation of Rana’s arrival, the NIA conducted a full-scale security drill at the airport on Wednesday.

Following his arrival, Rana will undergo a medical check-up and will be produced before the NIA Special Court at Patiala House via video conferencing due to security concerns. The agency will demand 14-day custodial remand for interrogation.

About The Case

Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian national, is wanted in India for his alleged role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, which claimed 166 lives, injured 239 others, and caused over $1.5 billion in property damage. Once he lands in India, the NIA is expected to seek his custodial remand for two weeks to begin formal interrogation.

A US court had earlier cleared the decks for his extradition after rejecting his appeal. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court's order, ruling that there was sufficient evidence and a valid legal basis for extradition under the India-US treaty. The development comes days after the US Supreme Court rejected Rana's last-ditch attempt to block his extradition. In an emergency plea, he had sought a stay citing health concerns and fear of torture in Indian prisons.

Rana (64) had argued that he faced a risk of torture and death if extradited to India. In his habeas corpus petition filed on February 27, 2025, he claimed deteriorating health and cited multiple serious medical conditions, including an abdominal aortic aneurysm, chronic kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease with cognitive decline, and a suspected case of bladder cancer.

“The petitioner is not likely to survive such treatment in light of his continually declining health,” the plea stated, adding that he had also suffered multiple heart attacks and had a history of chronic asthma, COPD, and COVID-19 infections.

Rana also alleged religious persecution,in his plea also cited alleged religious persecution, arguing that as a Muslim of Pakistani origin facing terror charges in India, he was at heightened risk. The petition referred to the Human Rights Watch 2023 World Report, which cited allegations of systematic discrimination and stigmatization of religious and other minorities, particularly Muslims, under the BJP-led government in India.

Sources said preparations are underway at both Tihar Jail in Delhi and Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai, with upgraded security arrangements to house Rana upon his arrival.

Tahawwur Rana, a childhood friend of David Coleman Headley, was found to have played a key role in facilitating Headley’s surveillance activities in India ahead of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Headley, a Pakistani-American who turned government witness, confessed to being a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative and testified that Rana knowingly allowed his immigration firm to be used as a front for LeT’s espionage operations in India.

Rana was arrested alongside Headley by US authorities in 2009 in connection with a failed plot to attack a Danish newspaper and for providing material support to LeT. On January 17, 2013, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison. However, he was acquitted of charges directly linked to the Mumbai attacks. While he remained in US custody, the Indian government formally charged him with conspiring to carry out the Mumbai terror attacks. On August 28, 2018, an Indian court issued a warrant for his arrest on multiple counts, including conspiracy to wage war against the nation, murder, forgery, use of forged electronic records, and committing a terrorist act. India then formally requested his extradition.

According to US court records, Rana had previously deserted the Pakistani Army and moved to Chicago, where he set up an immigration consultancy — First World Immigration Services. Headley, meanwhile, became involved in heroin trafficking and was eventually radicalized and trained by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

According to submitted court documents and Headley’s testimony, the duo reconnected in Chicago around 2005 and, over the next three years, plotted to aid LeT in attacks on India. Under the guise of being an “immigration consultant” for Rana’s firm, Headley travelled to India to conduct detailed reconnaissance for the attacks. Rana signed and submitted false documents to the Indian Consulate, helping Headley pose as a business consultant and open an office in Mumbai. This front enabled Headley to carry out detailed surveillance of targets like the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and Leopold Cafe.

Between 2006 and 2008, Headley visited Mumbai multiple times and used the office set up under Rana’s firm to blend into the local surroundings. He took photographs, shot videos, mapped entry and exit points, and passed this critical data to Lashkar handlers in Pakistan. During these visits, Headley remained in touch with Rana, who was aware of the espionage and even viewed the surveillance videos.

In May 2008, Headley informed Rana about the surveillance he conducted in Mumbai and identified potential targets. In the fall of 2008, Headley warned Rana to avoid traveling to India, where attacks were imminent, and arranged for Rana to meet with one of their co-conspirators in Dubai.

In a later intercepted conversation, Rana told Headley that their contact in Dubai had confirmed the upcoming attacks. The lease on the Mumbai office expired in November 2008 and was not renewed. Lashkar-e-Taiba went on to carry out the coordinated terror attacks across Mumbai between November 26 and 29, 2008.

After the Mumbai attacks, Headley and Rana allegedly discussed further plans to target Denmark, once again using the immigration business as a front. Headley continued to update Rana on his surveillance missions, and Rana was said to have directly communicated with Lashkar handlers. Eventually, both were arrested by US law enforcement. Headley was apprehended in Chicago and later pleaded guilty to twelve terrorism-related charges, including several connected to the Mumbai attacks and the foiled Denmark plot.

As part of his plea deal, Headley agreed to cooperate with US authorities. The agreement included a non-extradition clause, but Rana faced trial on three charges: plotting to support terrorism in India and Denmark, and helping a foreign terrorist group. Key accused David Headley testified against him. On June 9, 2011, the jury found Rana guilty of the Denmark terror plot and supporting Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Rana’s trial is likely to revive international attention on the 26/11 case and may shed further light on the Pakistan-based terror network that orchestrated one of the worst terrorist attacks on Indian soil.