Tahawwur Rana's Shocking Confession: Ties to ISI and 26/11 Attacks

Confession of a Key Conspirator

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a significant figure in the planning of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has disclosed that he served as a reliable informant for the ISI and the Pakistani military. Reports indicate that Rana shared these revelations with the Mumbai Crime Branch, admitting his presence in Mumbai during the 2008 attacks.

Training with Lashkar-e-Taiba

Currently incarcerated in Tihar Jail, Rana stated that he and his associate David Coleman Headley participated in several training sessions organized by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a terrorist organization based in Pakistan. He informed the Mumbai Crime Branch that LeT primarily operated as a spy network for Pakistan, collaborating closely with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Planned Involvement in the Attacks

Rana confessed that the establishment of his immigration center in Mumbai and the financial transactions associated with it were part of a deliberate strategy. He acknowledged that his presence in Mumbai during the 26/11 attacks was not coincidental but a calculated move within the framework of the terror operation.

Surveillance of Key Targets

He also revealed to investigators that he was responsible for surveilling potential targets, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), which was among the primary locations attacked by the terrorists. Reports suggest that Rana confirmed the attacks were orchestrated as part of an ISI plot.

Background of Rana

Rana, who was born in Sudan, reportedly admitted to having been sent to Saudi Arabia by the Pakistani Army during the Khaleej War, highlighting his longstanding connections with Pakistan's military. Following these admissions, the Mumbai Police are preparing for his formal arrest to take him into custody.

Legal Proceedings and Charges

A Pakistani-born Canadian citizen, Rana arrived in India after the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed his petition for extradition on April 4. He was taken into the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) upon his arrival in May. He faces serious charges, including criminal conspiracy, murder, terrorism, and forgery, with a Delhi court recently extending his judicial custody until July 9.

The Impact of the 26/11 Attacks

The 26/11 attacks, executed by ten armed terrorists from Pakistan, resulted in the deaths of 166 individuals and left hundreds injured over a span of 60 hours, targeting high-profile locations such as the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and the Nariman House Jewish center. India has consistently maintained that Pakistan-based terrorist groups and their backers are responsible for these attacks. Rana's admissions further substantiate India's claims regarding the planning and support from state elements in Pakistan.