NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday expressed his appreciation for the “counter-terrorism cooperation” between India and the US after the 26/11 main accused Tahawwur Rana got extradited.
“Appreciate the counter-terrorism cooperation between our two countries. This is indeed a big step in ensuring justice for the victims of 26/11 attacks,” he said.
This came in response to US secretary of state Marco Rubio’s comments who said that the “glad that day has come”, referring to the extradition.
“We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Together, with India, we’ve long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. I’m glad that day has come,” Rubio said.
Rana was brought to the NIA headquarters in Delhi early Friday morning after a special NIA court granted the agency 18 days of custody. Sources confirmed that he is currently being held in a high-security cell within the NIA headquarters at the CGO complex, under constant surveillance by security personnel.
Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, was been extradited to India to face trial on 10 criminal charges linked to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, according to a statement from the US department of justice.
He faces a range of serious charges, including conspiracy, murder, committing a terrorist act, and forgery, all tied to his suspected role in the attacks carried out by the designated terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
The NIA secured the extradition of Rana following years of persistent and coordinated efforts to bring one of the key conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks to justice.
As per the investigative agency, Rana had been in judicial custody in the United States as part of proceedings under the India-US extradition treaty. The extradition was finalized after he had exhausted all legal options to block the process.