Tahawwur Rana’s Role in 26/11 Attacks and His Extradition to India
Tahawwur Rana was a pivotal figure in the planning of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, targeting Jal Vayu Vihar, a veterans’ housing complex. Author Sandeep Unnithan reveals Rana’s reconnaissance activities and connections through David Coleman Headley. With Rana extradited to India, he is expected to face justice for his role in the 2008 attacks, showcasing shifting attitudes towards counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
Mumbai’s Jal Vayu Vihar, a residential area for Air Force and Navy veterans, was initially targeted during the 26/11 terror attacks. Sandeep Unnithan, author of ‘Black Tornado: The Three Sieges of Mumbai 26/11,’ highlighted Tahawwur Rana’s pivotal role in this attack, notably mentioning how Rana surveyed the complex while staying at a Powai hotel, as disclosed by his associate David Coleman Headley in 2010.
Following the 2008 attacks, residents were alarmed when Mumbai SWAT teams arrived to secure Jal Vayu Vihar, with a presence that lasted nearly two years. Unnithan noted the significance of the target, as many residents were war veterans from the 1971 conflict, with Rana allegedly desiring to avenge this war due to his background as a former Pakistani Army officer.
Although the assault on Jal Vayu Vihar was ruled out, the attacks resulted in the murder of over 160 civilians, orchestrated by terrorist factions supported by Pakistan’s ISI. Unnithan expressed a sense of impotence against perceived state failures, contrasting with the chronicles of his father, a veteran who participated in notable military events.
With Rana recently extradited to India, Unnithan shared personal insights reflecting how his father celebrated his 80th birthday at the same Powai hotel where Rana was previously lodged. This incident marks a significant shift in India’s counter-terrorism stance, as Rana returns to face justice.
Rana’s extradition occurred after he exhausted all legal options in the U.S. He is expected to be arrested by the National Investigation Agency immediately upon arrival in Delhi and is likely to be detained in Tihar jail. As a Canadian national of Pakistani descent with previous ties to the Pakistan Army, he faces serious charges related to the Mumbai attacks, where he allegedly facilitated direct communications with terrorist organizations.
Throughout his association with Headley, Rana played an integral part in the 26/11 conspiracy. Headley affirmed in U.S. interrogations that he maintained contact with Rana, who helped establish a business in Mumbai as a cover for terror activities. Rana had also scouted potential attack locations during multiple visits to India, and stayed at the Taj Mahal Hotel, which was one of the attack targets.
The article highlights the key role Tahawwur Rana played in the planning of the 26/11 attacks, showcasing the chilling connection between his actions and the targeted housing complex for veterans in Mumbai. As Rana returns to India to face prosecution, this case symbolizes a critical juncture in India’s ongoing battle against terrorism. The implications of such high-profile extraditions reflect a changing paradigm in international counter-terrorism cooperation.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
