NIA Court Extends Custody of 26/11 Mumbai Attack Conspirator Tahawwur Rana for 12 Days

NIA Court Extends Custody of 26/11 Mumbai Attack Conspirator Tahawwur Rana for 12 Days

In a significant development in the ongoing investigation of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court has extended the custody of Tahawwur Rana, a key conspirator in the 2008 attacks, by 12 days. The decision, announced on April 28, 2025, comes as the NIA intensifies its probe into Rana’s role in one of the deadliest terror attacks on Indian soil, which claimed 174 lives and left over 300 injured.

Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian businessman and former member of the Pakistan Army Medical Corps, was extradited from the United States to India on April 11, 2025. His extradition followed years of legal proceedings, stemming from his arrest in Chicago in 2009. The 26/11 attacks, executed by the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), targeted multiple locations in Mumbai, including a train station, hotels, cafes, and a Jewish center, over a span of four days from November 26 to 29, 2008.

The NIA alleges that Rana played a critical role in the conspiracy, working closely with David Coleman Headley, another key figure in the attacks, and operatives from both LeT and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami. Investigations reveal that Rana provided logistical support to the terrorists, including aiding in reconnaissance efforts targeting several Indian cities. Among the locations scouted were the National Defence College and Chabad Houses, indicating a broader terror plot aimed at destabilizing the country.

Currently held in a high-security cell at the NIA headquarters in New Delhi, Rana is under round-the-clock surveillance as officials continue to interrogate him. The agency is focusing on uncovering the full extent of his involvement, including his communications with Headley and other operatives linked to the attacks.

This latest extension of custody underscores India’s relentless pursuit of justice for the victims of the 26/11 attacks, as authorities work to dismantle the networks responsible for such acts of terror. The case continues to draw global attention, highlighting the complexities of international cooperation in combating terrorism.