Unraveling Tahawwur Hussain Rana's connections in Kerala
"Refusing to Collaborate, Providing Vague Responses": Tahawwur Rana Discards Involvement in 26/11 Mumbai Terror Assault
In the ongoing investigation of Tahawwur Hussain Rana's role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, a twist has emerged with his alleged visit to Kerala. Rana, a convicted supporter of terrorism and former officer of the Pakistan Army's Medical Corps, was recently extradited to India from the United States.
Kerala Sojourn
At the heart of the mystery is Rana's visit to Kochi, Kerala, on November 16, 2008. He stayed at a hotel for nearly 24 hours before the Mumbai attacks on November 26, 2008. The reason behind this visit has been a matter of intense speculation and investigation.
Investigative Actions
- NIA Involvement: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Kerala Police have been jointly scrutinizing Rana's connections in Kerala. Previously, they established that Rana stayed at a hotel in Kochi about a week before the attacks, but the purpose of his visit remained undisclosed[2][3].
- Ongoing Interrogation: With Rana now in custody, the agencies are delving deeper into his South Indian connections, focusing on his stay in Kochi. Intelligence Bureau (IB) personnel are also involved in questioning him about any potential involvement in recruitment or terror-related activities in Kerala[5].
- Phone Contacts: During his stay in Kochi, Rana was found to have contacted 13 phone numbers. While these phone numbers were investigated earlier, further interrogation is necessary to uncover more details about these contacts[5].
- Denial of Involvement: Rana has denied any role in the Mumbai terror attacks[4]. This adds a layer of complexity to the investigation, making it crucial to establish the true nature of his visit to Kerala.
What's Next?
The NIA's ongoing efforts aim to shed light on Rana's activities and connections in Kerala. The agency aims to uncover the purpose of his visit and any potential links with individuals in Kerala, which have remained unclear until now[2][3]. As the investigation unfolds, more details may emerge, providing valuable insights into Rana's role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack conspiracy.
- Extradition and Visit: Fresh details about Tahawwur Hussain Rana's visit to Kerala, over a hundred days before the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, are expected to emerge from Rana's ongoing interrogation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Kerala Police, following his extradition from the United States.
- South Indian Connections: The NIA and Intelligence Bureau (IB) are scrutinizing Rana's South Indian connections, specifically his stay in Kochi, Kerala, where he remained for nearly 24 hours before the Mumbai attacks in 2008.
- Phone Contacts and Intense Investigation: During his stay in Kochi, Rana contacted 13 phone numbers. The NIA's investigation is now delving deeper into these contacts as part of their mission to uncover Rana's activities in crime-and-justice general-news categories in Kerala.
