New Delhi [India], April 11 (HBTV): A Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Friday granted an 18-day remand of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, to the NIA following his extradition from the United States.

Rana, who arrived in India on Thursday evening, was produced before the Special NIA Court shortly after his return.

The NIA, citing the need for custodial interrogation, told the court that Rana's examination is essential to uncovering the full extent of the terror plot. The agency submitted evidence, including emails sent by Rana, which it said demonstrate his active involvement in orchestrating the 2008 attacks.

According to the agency, Rana conspired with David Coleman Headley—also known as Daood Gilani—and other Pakistan-based operatives, including members of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI). The NIA stated that Headley had shared operational details with Rana prior to his visit to India and had sent emails discussing his belongings and assets, while also briefing Rana about the involvement of Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman in the planned attacks.

The NIA said that securing Rana's extradition was the result of sustained diplomatic and legal efforts. He had been held in judicial custody in the US under proceedings initiated via the India-US Extradition Treaty and was extradited only after all his legal options to prevent the transfer were exhausted.

‘Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured in the deadly attacks. Both LeT and HUJI have been declared as terrorist organisations by the Government of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967,’ the NIA said.

(ANI)