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Updated 13:44 IST, January 27th 2025

26/11 Attacks Plotter Tahawwur Rana’s Extradition to India Unmasks Pakistan’s Terror Network

Tahawwur Rana’s extradition to India is a pivotal moment in the fight against terrorism, as it brings justice to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Reported by: Yuvraj Tyagi
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Tahawwur Rana
While Rana’s extradition is a step toward justice, it underscores the broader issue of Pakistan’s complicity in cross-border terrorism. | Image: Republic/AP

New Delhi, India — The extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India is more than just a legal victory; it is a moment of reckoning for Pakistan , which has long been accused of harbouring, sponsoring, and supporting terrorism. The Pakistani-origin Canadian national, implicated in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is set to face trial for his critical role in the bloodbath that claimed 166 lives, including those of foreign nationals. The approval of his extradition by the US Supreme Court in January 2025 highlights a stark reality: Pakistan's long-standing support for terror is finally being challenged head-on, even if only in bits and pieces.

Rana, a former physician turned businessman, was deeply involved in the planning and execution of the 26/11 attacks that terrorized Mumbai. His ties to David Coleman Headley, the Pakistani-American mastermind behind the attacks, go beyond mere acquaintance—they were co-conspirators in a meticulously planned assault on India’s financial capital. Rana facilitated Headley’s entry into India with fraudulent documents and helped in reconnaissance for the attack, working in tandem with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a terrorist group with close links to Pakistan’s state apparatus. The disturbing truth here is that the mastermind behind the attacks, Headley, was directly in touch with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), further implicating the very state that continues to deny its role in fueling global terrorism.

Pakistan’s Terrorist Factory: The 26/11 Nexus

The 2008 Mumbai attacks were not some isolated incident. They were part of a larger pattern of terror orchestrated by Pakistan, a state that continues to be a breeding ground for terror outfits like LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and others. Despite repeated calls from the international community, including India, Pakistan refuses to take substantial action against these groups. Instead, it continues to provide them with safe havens, training, and logistical support. The fact that Rana, a Canadian citizen, could collaborate so seamlessly with these terror organizations speaks volumes about the network’s global reach—and Pakistan's role in it.

India has long claimed that Pakistan is the epicentre of terrorism. And Rana’s extradition is just one more chapter in a much larger, troubling narrative. From the 2001 Indian Parliament attack to the 2008 Mumbai massacre, Pakistan’s complicity in harbouring and sponsoring terror groups has been undeniable. But the world has been slow to act, often preferring diplomatic niceties over tangible action against the Pakistani establishment that continues to fuel extremism.

David Coleman Headley is an American terrorist known for assisting Lashkar-e-Taiba in planning the 2008 Mumbai attacks. | AP

In the case of the Mumbai attacks, the level of Pakistani involvement is so glaring that it’s hard to ignore. Headley, who meticulously mapped out the targets in Mumbai, was trained by LeT in Pakistan. Rana, who was part of the logistical and planning team, was allegedly in communication with the ISI during the lead-up to the attack. It's a well-established fact that these terror networks have direct links to Pakistan’s military and intelligence services, further undermining Islamabad’s repeated denials.

Rana’s Role in the Bloodshed

Tahawwur Rana's role in the Mumbai attacks was far from incidental. His active involvement in planning, assisting Headley, and facilitating the attackers is clear. Rana helped arrange a visa for Headley, whose sole purpose was to conduct reconnaissance for the planned strikes. Rana also allegedly travelled to India ahead of the attacks to ensure that the arrangements were in place for the bloodshed. His deep ideological alignment with LeT is reflected in the intercepted conversations between him and Headley, where Rana praises the attackers and shows support for their deadly mission.

Debris lies scattered in the street at the site of a blast in Colaba, a market in downtown Mumbai. | AP

In the end, the Mumbai attacks were the result of meticulous planning, a network of operatives spanning multiple countries, and a state sponsor—Pakistan. The terrorist group LeT, which carried out the attacks, has been a tool in Pakistan’s ongoing war by proxy against India. It’s a fact that the Pakistani military and ISI have used such terror groups as instruments of foreign policy, a strategy that has led to countless deaths, destruction, and regional instability.

Pakistan’s Denial and the Global Toll of Terrorism

Despite all the evidence pointing to Pakistan’s active role in supporting terrorism, Islamabad continues to dismiss these claims, often brushing them aside as baseless Indian propaganda. Pakistan’s approach to terror is one of denial, deflection, and dangerous obfuscation. Its officials continue to claim that they are working to combat terrorism, all while allowing groups like LeT to operate freely from within its borders. The fact that no concrete action has been taken against these terror organizations despite overwhelming international pressure speaks volumes about Pakistan's commitment—or lack thereof—to fighting terrorism.

Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, a member of the Lashkar-e-Taiba who took part in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks in Maharashtra , India. | AP

Let’s be clear: Pakistan has become a sanctuary for terrorists. It is a state that hosts terror organizations on its soil, funds them, and allows them to operate with impunity. The 26/11 attacks were just the latest in a long line of attacks that have been enabled, directly or indirectly, by the Pakistani establishment. And while Rana’s extradition is a victory for justice, it should be seen as just the tip of the iceberg.

The Long Road to Justice

The extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India marks a significant step toward justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. However, the legal proceedings are just the beginning of a much longer battle to hold accountable those who planned and orchestrated the attack. Rana’s case, while important, is part of a larger effort to dismantle the terror networks that continue to thrive in Pakistan.

India has long called for the extradition of several other individuals implicated in cross-border terrorism. The global community, too, has a role to play in pressuring Pakistan to take action against these groups. The support and safe haven provided by Pakistan to terrorist organizations like LeT and JeM not only destabilizes the region but also serves as a direct threat to international peace and security.

The message is clear: the time for appeasement and diplomatic niceties is over. If the world is serious about combating terrorism, it must hold Pakistan accountable for its actions. Rana’s extradition is a victory, but it’s only one battle in the ongoing war against terror sponsored by Pakistan. 

Published 13:38 IST, January 27th 2025