By The Sampadak Express
A 14-year-old tweet by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resurfaced and gone viral after Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was extradited to India from the United States on Thursday evening.
The tweet, posted in 2011 when Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, criticized the Congress-led UPA government after a US court acquitted Rana of direct involvement in the Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people.“
US declaring Tahawwur Rana innocent in Mumbai attack has disgraced the sovereignty of India & it is a major foreign policy setback,” Modi had posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Social Media Erupts with Support for ModiNow, with Rana finally in Indian custody, Modi’s old tweet is gaining renewed attention. Supporters have flooded X with praise for his long-standing stance on the matter, echoing the phrase, “Modi hai toh mumkin hai” (If there’s Modi, it’s possible).“
A leader who walks the talk. Captain my captain,” wrote one user. Another added, “You did it sir! Kudos and thank you!”
Rana’s Return: A Milestone in 26/11 Justice
Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, arrived in Delhi after a prolonged legal battle in the US, where he resisted extradition on health and legal grounds. His return marks a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of justice for the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
He was formally arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and placed in 18-day custody by a Delhi special court. Officials allege Rana played a key support role by assisting co-accused David Coleman Headley, who helped plan the attacks on behalf of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Headley, who later turned approver, revealed that Rana’s immigration firm provided him cover while he conducted reconnaissance on major Mumbai locations, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Chabad House, and CST railway station.
New Details Emerge in Case
According to a 2023 chargesheet by Mumbai Police, Rana visited India in November 2008, just days before the attacks. He stayed in a Powai hotel and reportedly discussed crowded locations in South Mumbai with a key witness. Many of these locations were later targeted during the attacks.
Authorities believe Rana also facilitated Headley’s Indian visa and helped set up a front office in Mumbai for surveillance operations. He allegedly maintained contact with Pakistani intelligence officer ‘Major Iqbal’, another key conspirator.
16-Year Legal Fight Finally Ends
Rana was first arrested in the US in 2009 and convicted in 2011 for supporting a terrorist group. However, he was acquitted of direct involvement in the 26/11 attacks, a verdict that drew sharp criticism in India, including Modi’s 2011 reaction.
After being released on health grounds in 2020, Rana was re-arrested following India’s extradition request. He exhausted all legal options before being handed over to Indian authorities this week.
His extradition comes months after PM Modi’s high-profile visit to the US, where former President Donald Trump confirmed that the extradition was in process.
