Reveals Links with Lashkar, Pakistani Army and ISI; Mumbai Police Prepare for Arrest
New Delhi: In a major breakthrough in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case, accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana has made explosive confessions during his questioning, India Today sources have revealed.
Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian, is currently in NIA custody at Tihar Jail in Delhi. He was extradited to India earlier this year after the US Supreme Court dismissed his review petition.
According to sources, Rana has admitted to being in Mumbai at the time of the deadly 2008 attacks. He said that he was a trusted agent of the Pakistani Army and worked closely with David Coleman Headley, his close friend and fellow conspirator.
Rana told investigators that both he and Headley trained with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Pakistan. He also said the terror group operated mainly as a spy network, under the guidance of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
In a chilling detail, Rana admitted that the idea of opening an immigration centre in Mumbai under his firm was his own. The office, he claimed, was used to cover financial transactions, which were shown as business expenses. This front helped facilitate reconnaissance operations in Mumbai.
Sources also said Rana inspected key sites like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) before the attacks. He confirmed that the attacks were planned in collaboration with ISI.
Rana further revealed that the Pakistani Army had earlier sent him to Saudi Arabia during the Khaleej (Gulf) War, indicating his deep and long-standing ties with Pakistan’s military establishment.
After these revelations, the Mumbai Police are preparing to arrest Rana and take him into their custody for further interrogation. He currently faces multiple serious charges including conspiracy, terrorism, murder, and forgery.
Rana was formally taken into judicial custody by the NIA in May 2025, and his custody has been extended till July 9 by a Delhi court.
The 26/11 Mumbai attacks were one of the deadliest terror strikes in India, carried out by 10 Pakistani terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba. The attack claimed 166 lives and lasted nearly 60 hours, targeting prominent locations like the Taj Mahal Hotel, Oberoi Trident, CST Station, and Nariman House.
Rana’s confessions could prove critical in bringing more clarity and accountability in one of India’s darkest chapters.