Rana is only the second suspect to face an in-person trial for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
India prepares to put 26/11 accomplice Tahawwur Hussain Rana on trial for the Mumbai terror attacks, after the U.S extradited him. 17 years later, is justice for the victims of one of India deadliest terror strikes a little bit closer, and what still needs to be done?
Up ahead we will also look at New Delhi’s counter-terror diplomacy over these decades.
But first– Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the men wanted for planning the 26/11 Mumbai attacks- an American and Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, was extradited to India- the National Investigation Agency, that had put him on the 2011 chargesheet as an accomplice of David Headley, escorted him to Delhi, where a special court gave them custody.
Rana’s trial for the attacks in which 166 people died and 238 were wounded is important for a number of reasons:
1. Rana is only the second suspect to face an in-person trial for the 26/11 attacks- the first was Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist from the attacks, who was hanged in 2012.
2. Rana is a critical link in the conspiracy for the attacks, and a connection to the planning of the attacks in Pakistan.
3. Rana was convicted by a U.S. court for his links to the Lashkar-e-Taiba and to planning an attack on a newspaper in Denmark, but he was acquitted in the Mumbai attacks case- this would be the first time he would face punishment for it.
4. Rana formerly worked in the Pakistani military as a doctor before leaving for Canada in 1997, and investigators would be seeking links he retained to the Military establishment and ISI as well.
Rana’s role in the attacks, which will be laid out in the prosecution’s case included a number of areas:
1. As a childhood friend who reconnected with Headley in the U.S., 64 year old Rana
-housed and funded Headley,
-helped him get tickets and visas for India,
-discussed plans and logistics for the 26/11 attacks, as well as once more to India after them for planning the next round of attacks
2. Rana is believed to have coordinated with a figure in Pakistan called Major Iqbal.
3. Rana and his wife travelled to India just days before the attacks, possibly to assist with the planning.
India’s counter-terror diplomacy
In the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, the world finally took attention of India’s consistent issue with terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
1. Given 45 of those killed were foreign citizens, including from the U.S., France, Israel, Germany, Australia, Canada, Italy, Singapore, India was able to build stronger ties in counter terror cooperation.
2. U.S. in particular, that had earlier side-lined India’s concerns began to help, with the initial banning of the Lashkar e Toiba and its chief Hafiz Saeed at the UN.
3. Although China blocked India’s efforts on a number of terror listings at the UNSC, India has been able to pursue UNSC sanctions against about 10 LeT commanders, including chief Hafiz Saeed, Operations chief Zaki Ur Rahman Lakhvi, Financier Muhammad Ashraf in 2008 and 2009. However it has failed to make headway on adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN.
4. India became a member of FATF in 2012 and lobbied to keep Pakistan on the Financial Action Task Force (FATFs) watch list from 2012-2015, and 2018-2022- forcing Pakistan to crack down on funding for anti-India terror groups.
5. During cross-border operations by the Indian Army in 2016, and missile strikes by the Indian Air Force in 2019 in response to terror attacks on security forces, India was able to ensure global support for its actions – Meanwhile no civilian hostage terror attack in the style and scale of the Mumbai attacks has been attempted in India again.
India hasn’t made headway with Pakistan because of the links between anti-India terror groups and the Pakistani military- leading to a further deterioration in ties. However, it should not be forgotten that in the initial days after the attacks, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency or FIA did carry out an investigation, that has helped India in building its case- In its case, the FIA
1. Proved Ajmal Kasab was a Pakistani national, and that he joined the banned LeT
2. Found the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) training camp near Thatta, Sindh where the terrorists were equipped and launched by sea
3. The casings of the explosive devices used in Mumbai were recovered from this training camp and matched. The fishing trawler used by the terrorists for hijacking an Indian trawler in which they sailed to Mumbai, was brought back to harbour, then painted and concealed- was recovered.
4. FIA followed the money trail from the boat engine to patent number through which the investigators traced its import from Japan to Lahore and then to a Karachi sports shop from where an LeT- operative bought it.
5. Fifth, the ops room in Karachi, from where the operation was directed, was identified.
Pakistan also arrested and put on trial a few LeT operatives, but that has never been pursued and has been actively blocked. All of this can be found in an article by the FIA DG Tariq Khosa in a column he wrote in the Dawn newspaper.
With Rana now in Indian custody, what’s remains in terms of Justice for 26/11 victims ?
1. The mastermind Hafiz Saeed, as well as those that ran the operation, who have been identified, and arrested at different times, need to face trial in Pakistan or be extradited to India- the NIA has named 7 in its chargesheet against Headley and Rana.
2. The U.S. must explain why it entered into a Plea deal with Headley, who was believed to be a DEA agent as well as working with the ISI and LeT, that gave him immunity from execution or extradition.
Wordview Take:
Rana’s extradition to India is an important step in India’s quest for justice for victims of the 26/11 and a win for investigators who pursued it. But it is also a testament to Indian counter-terror diplomacy, that changed the way the world looked at cross-border terrorism, and India’s particular concerns about Pakistan. It is hoped the trial will put the spotlight on Pakistan to conclude the case and bring the masterminds of the attack to trial.
Watch: Tahawwur Rana extradited | Justice for 26/11 closer?
Rana is only the second suspect to face an in-person trial for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
India prepares to put 26/11 accomplice Tahawwur Hussain Rana on trial for the Mumbai terror attacks, after the U.S extradited him. 17 years later, is justice for the victims of one of India deadliest terror strikes a little bit closer, and what still needs to be done?
Up ahead we will also look at New Delhi’s counter-terror diplomacy over these decades.
But first– Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the men wanted for planning the 26/11 Mumbai attacks- an American and Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, was extradited to India- the National Investigation Agency, that had put him on the 2011 chargesheet as an accomplice of David Headley, escorted him to Delhi, where a special court gave them custody.
Rana’s trial for the attacks in which 166 people died and 238 were wounded is important for a number of reasons:
1. Rana is only the second suspect to face an in-person trial for the 26/11 attacks- the first was Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist from the attacks, who was hanged in 2012.
2. Rana is a critical link in the conspiracy for the attacks, and a connection to the planning of the attacks in Pakistan.
3. Rana was convicted by a U.S. court for his links to the Lashkar-e-Taiba and to planning an attack on a newspaper in Denmark, but he was acquitted in the Mumbai attacks case- this would be the first time he would face punishment for it.
4. Rana formerly worked in the Pakistani military as a doctor before leaving for Canada in 1997, and investigators would be seeking links he retained to the Military establishment and ISI as well.
Rana’s role in the attacks, which will be laid out in the prosecution’s case included a number of areas:
1. As a childhood friend who reconnected with Headley in the U.S., 64 year old Rana
-housed and funded Headley,
-helped him get tickets and visas for India,
-discussed plans and logistics for the 26/11 attacks, as well as once more to India after them for planning the next round of attacks
2. Rana is believed to have coordinated with a figure in Pakistan called Major Iqbal.
3. Rana and his wife travelled to India just days before the attacks, possibly to assist with the planning.
India’s counter-terror diplomacy
In the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, the world finally took attention of India’s consistent issue with terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
1. Given 45 of those killed were foreign citizens, including from the U.S., France, Israel, Germany, Australia, Canada, Italy, Singapore, India was able to build stronger ties in counter terror cooperation.
2. U.S. in particular, that had earlier side-lined India’s concerns began to help, with the initial banning of the Lashkar e Toiba and its chief Hafiz Saeed at the UN.
3. Although China blocked India’s efforts on a number of terror listings at the UNSC, India has been able to pursue UNSC sanctions against about 10 LeT commanders, including chief Hafiz Saeed, Operations chief Zaki Ur Rahman Lakhvi, Financier Muhammad Ashraf in 2008 and 2009. However it has failed to make headway on adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN.
4. India became a member of FATF in 2012 and lobbied to keep Pakistan on the Financial Action Task Force (FATFs) watch list from 2012-2015, and 2018-2022- forcing Pakistan to crack down on funding for anti-India terror groups.
5. During cross-border operations by the Indian Army in 2016, and missile strikes by the Indian Air Force in 2019 in response to terror attacks on security forces, India was able to ensure global support for its actions – Meanwhile no civilian hostage terror attack in the style and scale of the Mumbai attacks has been attempted in India again.
India hasn’t made headway with Pakistan because of the links between anti-India terror groups and the Pakistani military- leading to a further deterioration in ties. However, it should not be forgotten that in the initial days after the attacks, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency or FIA did carry out an investigation, that has helped India in building its case- In its case, the FIA
1. Proved Ajmal Kasab was a Pakistani national, and that he joined the banned LeT
2. Found the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) training camp near Thatta, Sindh where the terrorists were equipped and launched by sea
3. The casings of the explosive devices used in Mumbai were recovered from this training camp and matched. The fishing trawler used by the terrorists for hijacking an Indian trawler in which they sailed to Mumbai, was brought back to harbour, then painted and concealed- was recovered.
4. FIA followed the money trail from the boat engine to patent number through which the investigators traced its import from Japan to Lahore and then to a Karachi sports shop from where an LeT- operative bought it.
5. Fifth, the ops room in Karachi, from where the operation was directed, was identified.
Pakistan also arrested and put on trial a few LeT operatives, but that has never been pursued and has been actively blocked. All of this can be found in an article by the FIA DG Tariq Khosa in a column he wrote in the Dawn newspaper.
With Rana now in Indian custody, what’s remains in terms of Justice for 26/11 victims ?
1. The mastermind Hafiz Saeed, as well as those that ran the operation, who have been identified, and arrested at different times, need to face trial in Pakistan or be extradited to India- the NIA has named 7 in its chargesheet against Headley and Rana.
2. The U.S. must explain why it entered into a Plea deal with Headley, who was believed to be a DEA agent as well as working with the ISI and LeT, that gave him immunity from execution or extradition.
Wordview Take:
Rana’s extradition to India is an important step in India’s quest for justice for victims of the 26/11 and a win for investigators who pursued it. But it is also a testament to Indian counter-terror diplomacy, that changed the way the world looked at cross-border terrorism, and India’s particular concerns about Pakistan. It is hoped the trial will put the spotlight on Pakistan to conclude the case and bring the masterminds of the attack to trial.
Watch: Tahawwur Rana extradited | Justice for 26/11 closer?
Rana is only the second suspect to face an in-person trial for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
India prepares to put 26/11 accomplice Tahawwur Hussain Rana on trial for the Mumbai terror attacks, after the U.S extradited him. 17 years later, is justice for the victims of one of India deadliest terror strikes a little bit closer, and what still needs to be done?
Up ahead we will also look at New Delhi’s counter-terror diplomacy over these decades.
But first– Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the men wanted for planning the 26/11 Mumbai attacks- an American and Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, was extradited to India- the National Investigation Agency, that had put him on the 2011 chargesheet as an accomplice of David Headley, escorted him to Delhi, where a special court gave them custody.
Rana’s trial for the attacks in which 166 people died and 238 were wounded is important for a number of reasons:
1. Rana is only the second suspect to face an in-person trial for the 26/11 attacks- the first was Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist from the attacks, who was hanged in 2012.
2. Rana is a critical link in the conspiracy for the attacks, and a connection to the planning of the attacks in Pakistan.
3. Rana was convicted by a U.S. court for his links to the Lashkar-e-Taiba and to planning an attack on a newspaper in Denmark, but he was acquitted in the Mumbai attacks case- this would be the first time he would face punishment for it.
4. Rana formerly worked in the Pakistani military as a doctor before leaving for Canada in 1997, and investigators would be seeking links he retained to the Military establishment and ISI as well.
Rana’s role in the attacks, which will be laid out in the prosecution’s case included a number of areas:
1. As a childhood friend who reconnected with Headley in the U.S., 64 year old Rana
-housed and funded Headley,
-helped him get tickets and visas for India,
-discussed plans and logistics for the 26/11 attacks, as well as once more to India after them for planning the next round of attacks
2. Rana is believed to have coordinated with a figure in Pakistan called Major Iqbal.
3. Rana and his wife travelled to India just days before the attacks, possibly to assist with the planning.
India’s counter-terror diplomacy
In the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, the world finally took attention of India’s consistent issue with terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
1. Given 45 of those killed were foreign citizens, including from the U.S., France, Israel, Germany, Australia, Canada, Italy, Singapore, India was able to build stronger ties in counter terror cooperation.
2. U.S. in particular, that had earlier side-lined India’s concerns began to help, with the initial banning of the Lashkar e Toiba and its chief Hafiz Saeed at the UN.
3. Although China blocked India’s efforts on a number of terror listings at the UNSC, India has been able to pursue UNSC sanctions against about 10 LeT commanders, including chief Hafiz Saeed, Operations chief Zaki Ur Rahman Lakhvi, Financier Muhammad Ashraf in 2008 and 2009. However it has failed to make headway on adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN.
4. India became a member of FATF in 2012 and lobbied to keep Pakistan on the Financial Action Task Force (FATFs) watch list from 2012-2015, and 2018-2022- forcing Pakistan to crack down on funding for anti-India terror groups.
5. During cross-border operations by the Indian Army in 2016, and missile strikes by the Indian Air Force in 2019 in response to terror attacks on security forces, India was able to ensure global support for its actions – Meanwhile no civilian hostage terror attack in the style and scale of the Mumbai attacks has been attempted in India again.
India hasn’t made headway with Pakistan because of the links between anti-India terror groups and the Pakistani military- leading to a further deterioration in ties. However, it should not be forgotten that in the initial days after the attacks, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency or FIA did carry out an investigation, that has helped India in building its case- In its case, the FIA
1. Proved Ajmal Kasab was a Pakistani national, and that he joined the banned LeT
2. Found the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) training camp near Thatta, Sindh where the terrorists were equipped and launched by sea
3. The casings of the explosive devices used in Mumbai were recovered from this training camp and matched. The fishing trawler used by the terrorists for hijacking an Indian trawler in which they sailed to Mumbai, was brought back to harbour, then painted and concealed- was recovered.
4. FIA followed the money trail from the boat engine to patent number through which the investigators traced its import from Japan to Lahore and then to a Karachi sports shop from where an LeT- operative bought it.
5. Fifth, the ops room in Karachi, from where the operation was directed, was identified.
Pakistan also arrested and put on trial a few LeT operatives, but that has never been pursued and has been actively blocked. All of this can be found in an article by the FIA DG Tariq Khosa in a column he wrote in the Dawn newspaper.
With Rana now in Indian custody, what’s remains in terms of Justice for 26/11 victims ?
1. The mastermind Hafiz Saeed, as well as those that ran the operation, who have been identified, and arrested at different times, need to face trial in Pakistan or be extradited to India- the NIA has named 7 in its chargesheet against Headley and Rana.
2. The U.S. must explain why it entered into a Plea deal with Headley, who was believed to be a DEA agent as well as working with the ISI and LeT, that gave him immunity from execution or extradition.
Wordview Take:
Rana’s extradition to India is an important step in India’s quest for justice for victims of the 26/11 and a win for investigators who pursued it. But it is also a testament to Indian counter-terror diplomacy, that changed the way the world looked at cross-border terrorism, and India’s particular concerns about Pakistan. It is hoped the trial will put the spotlight on Pakistan to conclude the case and bring the masterminds of the attack to trial.
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