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26/11 Mumbai Attack Accused Tahawwur Rana Set for Extradition to India by Year-End

TDN

In a significant development regarding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, an accused in the case, is likely to be extradited to India by the end of December. Recent discussions between Indian and American officials at the U.S. embassy in New Delhi have brought this issue to the forefront, with both parties focusing on the imminent transfer of Rana from the United States to India. Sources report that the meeting covered crucial preparations for the extradition, including security arrangements for the facility where Rana will be held upon his arrival in India. The U.S. court has already given the green light for his extradition, citing that India has presented sufficient evidence to support its request.

Currently incarcerated in a Los Angeles prison, Rana is accused of providing assistance to David Headley, the key figure behind the 26/11 attacks that claimed the lives of 166 individuals. The U.S. court's approval for Rana's extradition underscores a collaborative effort between the two nations to address terrorism-related offenses. Born and educated in Pakistan, Rana moved to Canada in 1997 after briefly serving as a doctor in the Pakistan Army. He later became a Canadian citizen and worked in immigration services. His criminal history includes planning a bombing in response to a controversial depiction of the Prophet Muhammad, for which he was convicted in a Chicago court. Alongside this conviction, Rana faced charges related to conspiracy in connection with the Mumbai attacks, leading India to demand his extradition for years.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India filed a chargesheet in 2011, naming Rana among nine individuals implicated in the meticulous planning of the attacks. As the countdown to his potential extradition begins, the Indian government is poised to take the necessary steps to ensure justice is served in this high-profile case. The ongoing collaboration between India and the U.S. in matters of extradition signals a broader commitment to counter-terrorism efforts and enhances the possibility of bringing those responsible for heinous acts to justice. As the year draws to a close, all eyes will be on the unfolding developments surrounding Rana's extradition.