New Delhi: In a significant development in the quest for justice for the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian national, is being interrogated by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA). Rana, who has been extradited from the United States, is linked to Sajid Mir, a designated global terrorist involved in the 26/11 attacks. The interrogation marks a crucial step in unraveling the complex web of conspirators behind one of India’s deadliest terrorist attacks.
The questioning of Rana unfolded in a high-security chamber at the NIA headquarters in Delhi, where he initially remained uncooperative. Rana hails from Chichawatni, Pakistan, and has ties to the Pakistani army and media through his family. His journey to becoming a key figure in international terrorism began in 1997 when he emigrated to Canada, where he established an immigration consultancy that served as a front for terror activities. This consultancy later became a platform for David Coleman Headley, another key operative in the Mumbai attacks, to conduct reconnaissance under the guise of working for Rana’s firm.
Rana’s connections to prominent terrorist figures and organizations are pivotal to the investigation. He has been linked to Sajid Mir, a key handler during the 26/11 attacks, and maintains ties with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami. Additionally, Rana reportedly met with Major Iqbal, a suspected Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) official who was instrumental in planning the Mumbai attacks. Major Iqbal was identified by Headley as his primary ISI handler, underscoring the deep involvement of Pakistani intelligence in the attacks.
The interrogation is led by a team of 12 officers under the direction of Deputy Inspector General Jaya Roy and Inspector General Ashish Batra. Both officials played a crucial role in securing Rana’s extradition from the United States. The interrogation process is being closely monitored, with every session recorded and documented in a daily case diary. Meanwhile, a $5 million reward has been offered by the United States for information leading to the capture of Sajid Mir, highlighting the global effort to bring perpetrators of terrorism to justice.
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