Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has been finally extradited from the United States to India and landed at Palam Technial Airport in New Delhi on April 9, 2025. The 64-year-old, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is now set to face trial in India nearly 16 years after the horrific attacks that left 166 people dead.
The 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks lasted for over 60 hours and targeted iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Oberoi Trident, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and the Jewish centre at Nariman House. Ten heavily armed Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists infiltrated Mumbai via the Arabian Sea. Although nine of the ten terrorists were killed during the siege, one, Ajmal Kasab, was captured alive and executed in 2012 at Pune’s Yerawada Jail.
Extradition Timeline and Arrival in India of Tahawwur Rana
Rana’s extradition marks a major development in India’s effort to bring all conspirators of the 26/11 attacks to justice. His arrival comes after a prolonged legal battle in the United States, where Rana was held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles. His final plea to stop extradition was rejected by the US Supreme Court, paving the way for his transfer.
Sources said that Rana is being flown in via a special flight accompanied by a team of Indian intelligence and investigative officers. The aircraft reportedly departed the US around 7:10 PM IST on Wednesday and landed in Delhi this afternoon.
What Happens Next in Tahawwur Rana Case
Upon arrival, Tahawwur Rana was formally arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and is likely to be produced before a special NIA judge at Delhi’s Patiala House Court. Since the trial will now be held in Delhi, he will not be sent to Mumbai.
Tahawwur Rana is likely to be lodged in a high-security ward of Delhi’s Tihar Jail, where arrangements have been made to ensure maximum security due to the sensitive nature of the case. The area around the jail has also seen heightened security deployment.
Rana is accused of helping David Coleman Headley, another 26/11 conspirator, in scouting targets and providing financial and logistical support to Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives. With his extradition complete, Indian authorities now move closer to unraveling the deeper layers of the deadly conspiracy that shook the nation in 2008.
