How did Tahawwur Rana help David Headley identify key 26/11 targets in Mumbai?

Tahawwur Hussain Rana has revealed some crucial details about the 26/11 attacks on India.

The Pakistani-origin Canadian national and key accused in the terror attacks on Mumbai was extradited to India from the United States.

This came after the US Supreme Court dismissed his review petition.

Rana, 64, was a childhood friend of David Coleman Headley aka Daood Gilani, who masterminded the attacks at the best of LeT chief Hafeez Saeed.

Rana was brought to India on a special flight in April. He has since been questioned by Indian authorities including the National Investigation Agency and intelligence officials.

He is in judicial custody till July 9. The Mumbai Police is preparing to arrest Rana as soon as he is done being questioned.

But what has Rana revealed to the authorities?

Let’s take a closer look:

What Rana revealed

Rana during questioning revealed that he completed an MBBS course in 1986 from Pakistan’s Army Medical College in Rawalpindi.

Rana claimed that he was commissioned into the Pakistan Army as a captain in Quetta.

Rana said he was assigned to Sindh, Balochistan, Bahawalpur, and Siachen-Balotra – all sensitive regions.

However, during his stint in Siachen, he developed pulmonary edema.

This condition, which results in fluid building up in the lungs, caused him to miss duty.

Rana said he agreed to help Headley in exchange for his army records being expunged.

Rana claimed he was a trusted agent of the Pakistan Army and was even sent to Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War on a secret mission.

He said that the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was initially formed as a spy network and continues to function that way.

Rana said Headley held at least three terrorist training sessions with the LeT between 2003 and 2004.

How did Rana help plan 26/11?

It is well known that Headley had travelled to many cities in India including Mumbai, Delhi and Pune prior to the attacks.

Headley had claimed to be representing a firm called the Immigrant Law Centre.

Rana told the authorities that he was the brains behind the setting up of this company – which was a front for the terror group – and also for the firm doing financial transactions.

Rana said that he assisted Headley in identifying key targets of the 26/11 attacks.

Rana said he came to India in November 2008 before the attacks and rented a room at a hotel in Powai.

Rana claimed to have conducted reconnaissance of several areas in Mumbai including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus ahead of the attacks.

However, he then headed to Beijing via Dubai.

Rana said he helped Headley travel to India by concocting a fake identity for him.

Rana, however, asked about the forged documents the terrorists used to enter India, blamed the Indian Embassy.

Rana said the attacks were carried out with the assistance of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

He has claimed to know several officials accused in the attacks including Sajid Mir, Abdul Rehman Pasha, and Major Iqbal.

Headley after the attacks told Rana that the Indians ‘deserved it’.

Rana has been charged with criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government of India, murder and forgery and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Rana could get life in prison or even face the death penalty.

Pakistan had distanced itself from Rana even as he was being extradited.

“Tahawwur Rana has not renewed his Pakistani documents in the last two decades. His Canadian nationality is very clear,” the Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement.

With inputs from agencies