The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is intensifying its interrogation of Tahawwur Rana, a pivotal figure in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after his recent extradition from the United States to India on April 10. During the questioning, Rana has made several explosive confessions, shedding light on his extensive ties with international terrorist networks, radical factions, and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Sources have revealed that Rana confirmed the planning of the 26/11 attacks was directly overseen by ISI, in coordination with LeT commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, under the codename “Sura of Zaki.” This high-level collaboration highlighted the disturbing involvement of state-backed forces in terrorist operations. Furthermore, Rana admitted to promoting extremist ideologies in Canada under the guise of Markaz-ud-Dawat-wal-Irshad (MDI), which later rebranded as Jamaat-ud-Dawa, known for its close association with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
The NIA’s investigation has uncovered Rana’s deep involvement with the HuJI 313 Brigade, led by the notorious Ilyas Kashmiri. His activities spanned Canada and India, where he worked in conjunction with Pakistan’s ISI to fund terror groups and recruit operatives. Among the most disturbing revelations is Rana’s role in planning attacks on multiple Chabad Houses, along with a potential strike on India’s National Defence College in Delhi.
Rana’s strategy involved using a “one-to-one sleeper cell” approach, ensuring that terror operatives worked in isolation to reduce the likelihood of detection. In addition to his financial backing of David Headley, Rana is accused of funding several other operatives under ISI’s guidance. Investigators are also delving into Rana’s contacts in Dubai, particularly one individual who facilitated a key meeting between Rana and Abdur Rehman, another conspirator linked to the attacks.
Rana has allegedly confessed to providing direct instructions to Headley, under the orders of ISI operatives Sajid Mir and Major Iqbal, to conduct surveillance on various high-profile targets in Mumbai. Sources indicate that Rana and Headley surveyed approximately 40–50 strategic locations, including military establishments, temples, and the Chabad House, for potential terror strikes.
