By The Sampadak Express
In a significant development, Pakistan has officially distanced itself from Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, following his extradition to India from the United States. The Pakistani Foreign Office, in its first public reaction, emphasized that Rana is a Canadian citizen and has not renewed any Pakistani documentation in over 20 years.“
Tahawwur Rana has not renewed his Pakistani documents in the last two decades. His Canadian nationality is very clear,” stated the Foreign Office, in what many see as an attempt to deflect responsibility ahead of Rana’s likely legal revelations in India.
Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian doctor and former army physician, ran a travel agency in Chicago that was allegedly used by David Coleman Headley—another conspirator in the Mumbai attacks—for reconnaissance missions in India. Both men were arrested in Chicago in October 2009 while allegedly plotting an attack on a Danish newspaper that had published cartoons of Prophet Mohammed.
Headley later turned approver, testifying in detail about his and Rana’s involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks orchestrated by the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which claimed 166 lives over four days of carnage.
Indian authorities believe Rana’s extradition could help expose deeper links between the attackers and elements within the Pakistani establishment, including the ISI and the Pakistan Army. Security experts suggest Rana’s statements could be critical in establishing Pakistan’s role in facilitating the deadly assault.
Rana is currently en route to India in a special aircraft and is expected to be housed in a high-security facility at Tihar Jail in New Delhi. Authorities have made the necessary arrangements and will await court directions for his formal custody and interrogation.
