Trusted By Pak Army, Was Part Of 26/11 Plan: Tahawwur Rana's Explosive Revelations

During questioning by the Mumbai Crime Branch in NIA custody, Tahawwur Rana confirmed his presence in Mumbai during the 26/11 attacks and that it was part of the terrorists' plan, sources told India Today TV.

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the key conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, has made explosive revelations, saying he was in the city at the time of the carnage and was a trusted agent of the Pakistani army, sources told India Today TV.

Rana, who is in NIA custody in Delhi's Tihar Jail, told the Mumbai Crime Branch during questioning that he and his friend and aide David Coleman Headley had several training sessions with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, sources said.

According to India Today, Rana said the idea of opening an immigration centre of his firm in Mumbai was his, and financial transactions in it were also done as business expenses. He also admitted he was in Mumbai during the 26/11 attacks and that was part of the terrorists' plan, sources said.

Rana said he inspected places like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and believed that the 26/11 attacks were carried out in collaboration with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), India Today reported. The 64-year-old also said he was sent by the Pakistani army to Saudi Arabia during the Khaleej War, sources further said.

Following his questioning, the Mumbai Police are preparing to arrest Rana as soon as possible and take him into custody.

Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian, was extradited to India earlier this year. His extradition followed the April 4 dismissal of his review petition by the US Supreme Court.

Rana was formally taken into judicial custody by the NIA after being brought to India in May. He is being questioned in connection with multiple charges, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act and forgery. Last month, a Delhi court extended Rana's judicial custody till July 9.

The 26/11 Mumbai attacks, carried out by 10 Pakistani terrorists, resulted in the deaths of 166 people over a nearly 60-hour siege targeting prominent landmarks including the Taj and Oberoi hotels, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and the Jewish centre Nariman House.