26/11 Conspirator Admits Role as Pakistani Army Agent
In a stunning admission with major implications for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks investigation, convicted conspirator Tahawwur Hussain Rana has confessed to his role in the 2008 carnage, identifying himself as a "trusted agent" of the Pakistani army. Currently in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Delhi, Rana’s testimony provides a direct link between the perpetrators and the Pakistani state apparatus.
During questioning by the Mumbai Crime Branch, the Pakistani-origin Canadian national detailed his deep involvement with the terror plot. According to sources, Rana admitted that he and his associate, David Coleman Headley, underwent several training sessions with the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which he described as functioning primarily as a spy network.
Confession Details Operational Role
Rana disclosed that the plan to establish an immigration firm in Mumbai was his own initiative, designed to create a legitimate front for terror-related activities. He confirmed that the financial transactions for this office were disguised as business expenses. Critically, Rana admitted to being present in Mumbai during the attacks, stating his presence was part of the terrorists' operational plan. He also acknowledged conducting reconnaissance of key targets, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
His confession reinforces long-held assertions by Indian authorities, as Rana stated his belief that the attacks were executed in collaboration with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Legal Proceedings and Significance
Following his extradition from the United States earlier this year, Rana was formally taken into judicial custody by the NIA. His questioning continues as the Mumbai Police prepare to formally arrest him. The 26/11 attacks, a nearly 60-hour siege by 10 Pakistani terrorists, claimed 166 lives across Mumbai. Rana's detailed confession is seen as a monumental breakthrough, offering investigators firsthand testimony that corroborates the intricate web of state-sponsorship behind one of India's most devastating terrorist incidents.
