Tahawwur Rana Extradition: US Releases Fresh Images Of Moment 26/11 Terror Attack Mastermind Being Handed Over To Indian Officials

Washington DC: The US Department of Justice released photos of the moment the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The photos were released hours after a special flight carrying Rana landed in Delhi on Thursday evening.

In the images, US Marshals could be seen handing over the 26/11 attack accused to Indian authorities for extradition. Rana, clad in a brown-coloured prison uniform, was seen in shackles He was handed over to the officials of the Ministry of External Affairs on April 9 at an unknown place.

Meanwhile, the US Justice Department revealed that Rana had aspired for Pakistan's highest award for gallantry in battle 'Nishan-e-Haider' for the nine Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists who carried out the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai in 2008 and were gunned down by Indian security forces, reported IANS.

Images Of Tahawwur Rana Released By US Justice Department:

The US Department of Justice, in a statement, has released a bit of intercepted conversation between Tahawwur Rana and Headley after the 26/11 attack.

"After the attacks were complete, Rana allegedly told Headley that the Indians 'deserved it'. In an intercepted conversation with Headley, Rana allegedly commended the nine LeT terrorists who had been killed committing the attacks, saying that '[t]hey should be given Nishan-e-Haider'- Pakistan's 'highest award for gallantry in battle', which is reserved for fallen soldiers," the statement read as quoted by IANS.

Tahawwur Rana Handed Over To NIA Officials:

Rana is described as a convicted terrorist, a Canadian citizen and a native of Pakistan by the US. The US on Wednesday extradited Rana to India, which it said was a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks.

Rana is now in NIA custody for 18 days, during which time the agency will question him in detail in order to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the deadly 2008 attacks, in which a total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured.