The extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a prime accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has triggered an elaborate and high-budget security operation in the national capital. Rana, who is likely to arrive here from the US on Thursday, will be apprehended by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under strict security cover, including several elite squads and sophisticated hardware.
Bulletproof Convoy and Elite Units for High-Profile Accused
Security authorities have planned a multi-layered movement and confinement plan for Tahawwur Rana. An armoured car convoy with a bulletproof car will bring him from the airport, with SWAT commandos and best police resources being deployed to provide tight security along the way.
Authorities have prepared a safe cell in the NIA headquarters for his first interrogation. Only a few specially cleared officials will have access to the place. Once taken into judicial custody, Rana will be accommodated in a high-risk ward of Tihar Jail, which will need round-the-clock surveillance and special arrangements.
Anticipated Expenses Most Likely to Be Heavy
While the government has yet to reveal the estimated cost of this high-security setup, the magnitude of the operation betrays a significant outlay of funds. Another comparable instance in recent times — that of Ajmal Kasab, the sole 26/11 assailant caught alive — involved the government shelling out a lot to provide for his custody and trial.
Media accounts at the time reported it took more than ₹29 crore to keep Kasab between November 2008 and October 2012. The expenditure included food, medical assistance, security, and a bomb-proof, bulletproof holding cell. Officials later explained the real price might have been ₹50 crore when considering special judicial arrangements and infrastructural support.
Why the Cost Is Perceived to Be Necessary?
The government officials think that the heavy spending is worth it, considering the delicacy of Rana’s case. His connection with co-conspirator David Coleman Headley and suspected role in the 26/11 target reconnaissance have turned him into a pivotal person during India’s ongoing investigation of state-sponsored terrorism.
“Securing his safety is not merely a matter of safeguarding a high-profile detainee but also securing a vital element of the ongoing probe into one of India’s deadliest terror strikes,” a senior official said.
The focus on safety and secrecy points to the importance of Rana’s presence and the national interest in avoiding any disruption to legal processes or intelligence gathering. His presence in India can provide new leads and crucial information on the planning of the 26/11 attacks, particularly his activities in scouting out targets such as Chabad Houses and the National Defence College.
