Rana wore Pakistan Army uniform as he met LeT terrorists: Report
Rana reportedly visited terror camps regularly in his military uniform after leaving service, maintaining connections with groups tied to terrorism and the ISI
Tahawwur Hussain Rana has reportedly told Indian interrogators that he met Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and people linked to the Pakistani intelligence in his Pakistani military uniform even after quitting the service.
Rana reportedly made the admission to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks after being extradited from the United States on India’s request.
Rana, who hailed from Punjab province, had served in the Pakistani Army’s medical corps, NDTV reported citing unidentified sources in the NIA.
Also read: NIA grilling of Tahawwur Rana focuses on mystery figure in Dubai: Reports
Moving to Canada
It was at the Cadet College Hasanabdal where he met David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani-American linked to the Mumbai terror attack which left 166 Indians and foreigners dead. Headley is now in a US prison.
Rana moved to Canada in 1997 with his physician wife. He started an immigration consultancy and later ventured into the halal meat business.
The consultancy reportedly became a front for terrorist activities, with Headley posing as a consultant.
Also read: NIA begins grilling Tahawwur Rana
Regular contact with Sajid Mir
According to NIA sources quoted by NDTV, Rana regularly visited terror camps in his military uniform after leaving service, maintaining connections with groups tied to terrorism and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Rana is also said to have maintained regular contact with Sajid Mir, a designated global terrorist and one of India's most wanted fugitives.
Mir is said to have been a key handler during the 26/11 attacks and is accused of orchestrating the siege at Mumbai’s Chabad House which led to the deaths of six hostages.
The US has announced a $5 million reward for information that could lead to Mir's capture.
Also read: Tahawwur Rana's extradition big success of Modi govt: Amit Shah
Met Headley's ISI handler
Rana also reportedly met Major Iqbal, identified in a 2010 US indictment as a serving ISI officer.
Iqbal is accused of financing, overseeing and directing the Mumbai reconnaissance missions carried out by Headley ahead of the terrorist mayhem.
In his 2011 testimony, Headley called Iqbal his primary handler within the ISI, part of a trio of officials who “recruited, trained, and directed” him.