Tahawwur Rana Extradited to India in Connection With 2008 Mumbai Attacks

Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has been extradited from the U.S. to India. Learn about the NIA’s next steps, global reactions, and what this means for Indo-US counterterrorism ties.

In a major diplomatic and legal development, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, has been extradited from the United States to India to face charges related to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that claimed 166 lives.

Rana, 64, landed in New Delhi on April 10, 2025, under tight security and was immediately taken into custody by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA). His extradition follows years of legal proceedings in the U.S. and marks a significant victory for Indian authorities seeking justice in one of the worst terror incidents in the country’s history.

Rana is accused of providing material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group behind the attacks, and facilitating reconnaissance missions through his Chicago-based immigration firm. His associate, David Coleman Headley, had earlier testified about using Rana’s company as a front for planning the assault.

While a U.S. court acquitted him of direct involvement in the attacks in 2013, Indian authorities maintained that sufficient grounds existed for prosecution under Indian law. His extradition is expected to reignite the global conversation on terrorism and cross-border accountability.

He will remain in NIA custody for 18 days for interrogation. The development is being seen as a significant step in strengthening international cooperation against terrorism.