Tahawwur Rana's first picture surfaced after reaching India, NIA formally arrests him - The wait for the mastermind of 26/11 attack is over

New Delhi, 10 April 2025: The first picture of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the main conspirator of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack (26/11 Attacks), has surfaced after arriving in India. Rana, who was fighting a legal battle in the US for 16 years, landed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport around 6:30 pm today. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced his immediate formal arrest after successfully ensuring his extradition. The move fulfills the long-standing demand for justice for the victims of the 26/11 attack and their families.

Tahawwur Rana's entry into India

64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian citizen Tahawwur Rana was brought to India from the US on a special plane. The flight took off from the US at 7:10 pm (IST) on Wednesday and landed at 2:50 am at Delhi's Palam Technical Area today. A special team of the NIA and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) took him into custody. The first pictures of Rana are going viral on social media, in which he can be seen under tight security guards at the Delhi airport. These pictures show him being taken to the NIA headquarters in a bulletproof vehicle, where his preliminary interrogation will begin.

The NIA said in an official statement, "NIA has successfully secured the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana. He was in judicial custody in the US, and has been brought to India under the Indo-US Extradition Treaty." The agency also informed that Rana has been arrested immediately and will be kept in a high-security ward at Delhi's Tihar jail.

NIA's formal action

Soon after Rana arrived at the airport, the NIA began the process of his formal arrest. "Rana was taken for a medical checkup, after which he will be taken to the NIA headquarters where he will be questioned. He will then be produced before a special NIA court," a senior NIA official said. Special NIA judge Chander Jit Singh will hear the case, and security has been beefed up at Delhi's Patiala House Court.

Advocate Piyush Sachdeva from the Delhi Legal Services Authority has been appointed as Rana's counsel, while the NIA will conduct the trial under senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narendra Mann. The Home Ministry issued a notification late night appointing Narendra Mann as special public prosecutor for three years or till the settlement of the case.

History and allegations of Tahawwur Rana

Tahawwur Rana has been a member of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group and was a close associate of David Coleman Headley in the 26/11 attack. He is alleged to have provided fake identity documents and logistical support to Headley, who carried out the Mumbai terror attacks that killed 166 people and injured hundreds. Rana was arrested in Chicago in 2009, and was sentenced to 14 years in prison in the US, but was released in 2020 on health grounds. India then sought his extradition, and in May 2023 last year, the US District Court approved his extradition.

The US Supreme Court rejected Rana's last appeal on 21 January 2025, after which President Donald Trump formally approved his extradition on 11 February 2025. Rana had claimed before his arrest that he could be tortured in India and that his health was poor, but these claims were rejected.

Security and next steps

In view of Rana's security, the Delhi Police Special Cell and SWAT team have made tight security arrangements around the airport and the NIA headquarters. A high-security ward has been prepared for him in Tihar jail as well, which includes 24x7 CCTV surveillance and bathroom facilities. The NIA plans to question Rana to extract information about the network of Pakistani intelligence agency ISI and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Former Home Secretary and Minister RK Singh said, "This is an important development and a matter of satisfaction for the victims of the attack and their families. This has sent a message to terrorists that no matter where they hide in the world, India will catch and punish them."

Reaction on social media

#TahawwurRana and #26/11Justice are trending on social media. Many users have called the arrest a success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's zero tolerance policy against terrorism, while some have raised questions about Rana's health and human rights concerns. In one post, a user wrote, "Finally a step on the path of justice, but we also have to ensure that every culprit is punished."

Conclusion

The arrest of Tahawwur Rana is a historic moment for the victims of the 26/11 attacks. It has been made possible by the swift action of the NIA and collaboration with the US. Now all eyes are on Rana's interrogation and trial, where it is expected that many more secrets will be revealed. This case could prove to be a milestone not only in India's, but also in the fight against global terrorism.