Tahawwur Rana told Headley Indians ‘deserved 26/11 Mumbai attacks’: US justice dept

The United States department of justice has released images of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks conspirator Tahawwur Rana’s extradition on Friday, which the US termed a “critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks.”

In a statement, the department of justice said Rana was extradited from the US on Wednesday (local time) and he is facing charges for conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery in India. “On April 9, the US Marshals Service executed the Secretary’s surrender warrant by surrendering Rana to Indian authorities for transportation to India. Rana’s extradition is now complete,” the department said in a statement.

US Marshals in the Central District of California transferring custody of Tahawwur Rana to Indian representatives | US justice department

Earlier on Friday, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, responding to a question on the extradition, said, “The United States has long supported India's efforts to ensure 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. He is in their possession, and we are very proud of that dynamic,” ANI reported.

As per the statement, Rana allegedly told David Coleman Headley, the mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai attacks that India deserved the attacks. “After the attacks were complete, Rana allegedly told Headley that the Indians ‘deserved it.’ In an intercepted conversation with Headley, Rana allegedly commended the nine LeT terrorists who had been killed committing the attacks, saying that “[t]hey should be given Nishan-e-Haider”—Pakistan’s ‘highest award for gallantry in battle,’ which is reserved for fallen soldiers,” it said.

Rana landed in Delhi on Thursday and a NIA special court in Delhi granted the agency 18-day custody of the terror conspirator. He is currently lodged in a special cell at the agency’s headquarters in Delhi.