NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA), in its ongoing probe into Tahawwur Rana’s involvement in the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, is focusing on the network of people who helped plan the conspiracy.
Rana was questioned for the second day in a row as investigators try to understand how the large-scale attack was planned and who all were involved. NIA is also directing its effort to examine the possible links of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.
As sources informed PTI news agency, the NIA is dissecting dozens of phone calls between Rana and Headley, using them to piece together the larger conspiracy that spanned continents. Investigators believe these conversations hold vital clues to the operational details of the attacks, and to those who worked behind the scenes.
One of the leads includes a person based in Dubai, believed to have met Rana on Headley’s request. Investigators think this man knew about the attack plans. They are also checking if this “mystery man” was connected to Dawood Ibrahim or his criminal network known as D-Company, which is based in Dubai, as sources told IANS news agency.
The agency is also looking into Rana’s possible ties with Pakistan’s spy agency ISI and terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which carried out the attacks. NIA officials believe the planning for the 26/11 attacks may have started as early as 2005.
To support their investigation, Rana’s fresh voice samples have been sent for testing to match with calls made right after the attack. Investigators also suspect that Rana may have visited several parts of India before the attack, possibly to assist in planning.
Rana was extradited from the US and brought to India on Thursday evening. A Delhi court gave the NIA 18 days of custody to question him. He is currently being held at the NIA headquarters in Delhi in a high-security cell.
According to the NIA, Rana is being questioned not just for his role in the Mumbai attacks, but also to see if he was involved in planning similar terror attacks in other Indian cities. He faces several serious charges, including conspiracy, murder, and helping terrorists.
The 2008 Mumbai attacks were among the deadliest in India’s history. Ten terrorists came to Mumbai by boat and attacked several places including the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, CST railway station, and Nariman House. The attacks lasted three days, killing 166 people and injuring over 230.
With Rana now in India, the NIA is hoping to get a clearer picture of how the entire plot was put together and who all were involved behind the scenes.
