In the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the main conspirators, has made shocking claims during questioning. According to Mumbai Police sources, Rana said he was a trusted agent of the Pakistani Army and was once sent on a secret mission to Saudi Arabia.

Rana is currently in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Mumbai Crime Branch recently questioned him regarding his role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Police officials said Rana gave important details, many of which are already part of the investigation. But officers also said his statements reflect a continued radical mindset.

A senior police officer said, “Tahawwur Rana remains mentally fixated on his earlier statements. He is giving information to the police, but his way of talking also reflects his radical ideology.”

Tahawwur Rana told investigators that he was trusted by the Pakistani Army and had been sent on a secret mission to Saudi Arabia during Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. This shows that he may have played a strategic role for the Pakistan military.

Rana also revealed that he had completed MBBS from Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, in 1986. After that, he was appointed as a captain (doctor) and posted in Quetta. He also worked in other sensitive military zones such as Sindh, Balochistan, Bahawalpur, and even in the Siachen-Balotra sector. These postings suggest he was given key responsibilities during his time in the army.

However, Rana said his army career ended after he suffered from pulmonary oedema (a serious lung condition) during his posting in Siachen. Due to his long absence from duty, he was later labelled a deserter and dismissed from service.

The police also noted that Rana is fluent in many languages, including Hindi, English, Arabic, and Pashto, which helped him in his work across different countries.

Links with other 26/11 accused and Lashkar-e-Taiba

Rana admitted that he personally knew other key people involved in the 26/11 attacks. He named Abdul Rehman Pasha, Sajid Mir, and Major Iqbal—all of whom were connected to Pakistan and played major roles in planning and supporting the Mumbai terror strike.

He also gave new details about David Headley, the main person accused of scouting the locations attacked in Mumbai. Rana said Headley attended three training sessions with Lashkar-e-Taiba between 2003 and 2004. But he said he does not remember the exact names of those courses.

About the Mumbai immigration centre, which was used as a cover for terror planning, Rana said that it was his own idea and not Headley’s. He claimed that the money sent to Headley was meant for business use, but he admitted that there were problems in attracting clients to their Mumbai office.

Police officials believe that Rana is also well aware of what David Headley told US courts. This means he may have kept close track of legal proceedings and investigations even while staying away.

Rana’s role in 26/11 Mumbai attacks

Tahawwur Rana is a 64-year-old Canadian businessman originally from Pakistan. He is a close friend of David Headley, the Pakistani-American terrorist who played a key role in planning the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Headley was working for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the terrorist group based in Pakistan.

Police say Rana helped with logistics and money for the Mumbai operation. He allegedly supported Headley in setting up the fake business office in Mumbai, which was used to observe and plan the attacks. The 26/11 attacks killed 166 people and injured over 300, targeting major places like the Taj Hotel, the Oberoi Trident, CST railway station, and the Jewish centre (Nariman House).

Rana was living in the United States, but India requested his extradition to face trial. After a long legal fight, the US Supreme Court rejected his final plea on April 4, allowing his extradition to India. He is now being questioned by Indian authorities.

Still firm on his beliefs

Police say that Rana’s attitude and answers during questioning show that he still believes in the radical ideas he followed earlier. A senior officer said, “He is cooperative in answering questions, but his words and tone reflect the same extreme beliefs.”

Investigators believe his statements will help strengthen the ongoing case against other accused who have not yet been arrested or tried in India.

The Mumbai Crime Branch and NIA are continuing their investigations to collect more evidence. Officials say that questioning Tahawwur Rana may lead to more arrests and revelations about the international terror network that supported the 26/11 attacks.

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