Canadian wanted for Mumbai attacks extradited to India

NEW DELHI: A Pakistani-born Canadian businessman, Tahawwur Rana, accused of helping to orchestrate the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, arrived in New Delhi on Thursday after the US extradited him in the first such transfer in the terrorism case.

Tahawwur Rana, 64, a doctor-turned-businessman, was extradited in connection with the November 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed more than 160 people. “The National Investigation Agency on Thursday successfully secured the extradition...after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator...to justice,” NIA, India’s anti-terror agency, said in a statement.

He was accompanied by Indian security agencies after his petitions challenging the extradition were rejected by the US Supreme Court. Rana’s extradition is a “great success” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s diplomacy, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah said. India formally sought Rana’s custody in June 2020, and President Donald Trump announced Rana’s transfer in February this year during a joint press conference with Modi in Washington. Rana was sentenced to 14 years in prison in the US in 2013 for providing support to Lashkar-e-Taiba which India says was responsible for the 2008 attacks.

In a related development, the US State Department has termed the extradition a proud moment for America. To a question, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, “On April 9th, the United States extradited to India to the horrific terrorist attack resulting in the tragic loss of lives, including six Americans. The United States has assured that those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice and as President Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together, to combat the global scourge of terrorism. So, he is in their possession. And we are very proud of that dynamic.’’

Analysts believe the development would aid India in mounting pressure on Pakistan on account of the 16-year-old incident.