Key 26/11 Conspirator Tahawwur Rana Extradited to India, Formally Arrested by NIA

New Delhi, April 11 — The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday evening formally arrested Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the prime accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, immediately upon his arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), New Delhi. His extradition from the United States marks a major milestone in India’s efforts to bring international terror operatives to justice.

NIA Formally Arrests 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack Conspirator Tahawwur Rana on Arrival at IGI, New Delhi pic.twitter.com/CEdO1QwURi

— NIA India (@NIA_India) April 10, 2025

Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin who had been residing primarily in Chicago, was brought to India on a special flight from Los Angeles, escorted by a joint team of NIA and NSG officials. His arrest followed years of persistent legal and diplomatic efforts, culminating in the dismissal of his final appeal to block extradition by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The extradition was the result of close cooperation between Indian authorities—including the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs—and multiple U.S. agencies. These included the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI’s Legal Attaché in New Delhi, and the U.S. State Department’s Office of the Legal Adviser for Law Enforcement.

Rana’s return to India comes after extensive judicial proceedings in the U.S., where he was held in custody under the provisions of the India-U.S. Extradition Treaty. After completing legal formalities at the airport, he was taken into NIA custody for further investigation.

He is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley (also known as Daood Gilani), operatives of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI), and other Pakistan-based conspirators in orchestrating the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, which claimed 166 lives and injured more than 230 people.

Both LeT and HUJI are listed as terrorist organizations under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Rana’s extradition signals a significant development in India’s global counter-terrorism efforts and a strong message that fugitives involved in terror plots will not evade justice, regardless of where they hide.