Pakistan distances itself from its former military captain Tahawwur Rana as Republic of India brings again 26/11 accused

Unutilized Delhi: The Pakistani executive has distanced itself from Tahawwur Hussain Rana—a key accused within the 2008 Mumbai terror assault—confirming his Canadian citizenship.

The Pakistan international ministry’s spokesperson stated in a press briefing Thursday that Rana—a former Pakistan military captain—has no longer renewed any of his Pakistani paperwork for over twenty years. According to questions raised via media individuals, the International Place of work emphasized that Rana’s Canadian nationality is indeniable.

Rana, 64, is likely one of the most important figures attached to the 26/11 terror assault that left no less than 166 society lifeless and over 300 injured. He’s being flown into Republic of India later a protracted prison fight in america over his extradition. Rana have been making an attempt to steer clear of dealing with fees in Republic of India for his alleged function in orchestrating the assaults.

In Republic of India, Rana faces fees of felony conspiracy, terrorism and homicide for his alleged involvement within the 26/11 assault. In keeping with investigators, Rana performed a the most important function in helping fellow accused David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani-American who had carried out reconnaissance for the phobia operation.

Rana’s arrival in Delhi will likely be closely upheld, with Indian government making particular preparations for his transportation and most likely detention at Tihar prison.

Additionally Learn: Timeline of occasions chief as much as 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana’s extradition to Republic of India

The Pakistan connection

Rana was once born in Chichawatni in Pakistan’s Punjab province. As a scientific skilled, he joined the Pakistan Military’s scientific corps. On the other hand, within the past due Nineties, he left the military and moved to Canada, the place he acquired citizenship.

Rana was once a formative years buddy of Headley’s, who become concerned with militant workforce Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and performed a pivotal function within the making plans of the Mumbai assault. Rana allegedly assisted Headley in different techniques, together with offering logistical aid and facilitating his walk, which enabled the last to habits surveillance at the goals in Mumbai.

In 2009, Rana was once arrested in connection along with his function within the terror assault. Regardless of being acquitted of direct participation within the assault, a US court docket convicted him for offering subject material aid to terrorism, particularly helping Headley within the making plans of each the Mumbai and Copenhagen assaults. Rana was once sentenced to fourteen years in jail in 2013, however his prison battles persisted as Republic of India driven for his extradition.

Rana’s extradition procedure has been a drawn-out affair with a number of setbacks. To start with, he fought extradition to Republic of India, claiming his innocence and saying that he have been framed via Headley. In 2011, a federal court docket in Chicago convicted him for his function in supporting Lashkar-e-Taiba and making plans the assault at the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. He persisted to problem his extradition to Republic of India, bringing up considerations over a good trial.

On the other hand, in 2023, a Justice of the Peace Court docket licensed Rana’s extradition to Republic of India, marking a vital victory for Indian government. Rana went directly to problem the extradition with a couple of pleas, however they have been disregarded. In February 2025, US Secretary of Environment Marco Rubio signed Rana’s give up to Republic of India.

Along with his ties with Headley, Rana was once related to alternative militant teams, together with Al-Qaeda. Investigations perceptible that he communicated with Ilyas Kashmiri, a infamous Pakistani militant commander with ties to each Lashkar-e-Taiba and Al-Qaeda. Those connections recommend that Rana could have been a part of a broader community of extremists who collaborated throughout nationwide borders.

Additionally, Rana’s involvement with former army body of workers and their connections to terrorist organisations have raised vital questions concerning the extent to which Pakistan’s army established order could have facilitated or tacitly supported terrorist actions, specifically the ones concentrated on Republic of India.

(Edited via Mannat Chugh)

Additionally Learn: Tahawwur Rana prone to be saved in Tihar prime safety ward, with 24×7 surveillance, restricted motion