NIA gets 18-day custody of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack co-accused Tahawwur Rana, begins questioning

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday began questioning 26/11 Mumbai terror attack co-accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a day after securing his 18-day custody following his extradition from the US.

In a statement, the agency said Rana was formally arrested at Delhi's IGI Airport on Thursday evening and produced before the special NIA court, which granted his custody. Officials said he was brought on a special flight from Los Angeles, escorted by NSG and NIA teams.

NIA is aiming to uncover "deeper layers of the conspiracy" as the probe agency told a Delhi court it suspects he had plans to target other Indian cities as well with similar large-scale strikes.

Rana's extradition came after years of legal proceedings in the US, including a failed emergency plea to the US Supreme Court. The coordinated efforts of India's Ministries of External and Home Affairs, along with US authorities, made the transfer possible. The NIA also worked closely with the FBI and US Department of Justice throughout the process.

The Pakistani-origin Canadian citizen and businessman is accused of aiding key conspirator David Coleman Headley-his childhood friend-by providing him cover and support as he scouted targets for the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. Headley, now serving time in the US under a plea deal, cannot be extradited to India.

The NIA alleges that Rana was aware of Headley's ties to Lashkar-e-Taiba and the planning of the attacks. He is also accused of offering logistical and financial support to Headley and other conspirators.

Rana has been named in an NIA charge sheet alongside Headley, Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Sajid Mir, Ilyas Kashmiri, and others, including Pakistan's ISI operatives Major Iqbal and Major Sameer Ali.