Thu Apr 10 06:30:13 UTC 2025: ## 26/11 Accused Tahawwur Rana’s Return to India Highlights Previously Unknown Plot Against Veterans’ Colony
**NEW DELHI** – The return of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, to India has shed light on a previously unknown plot targeting a housing colony for Air Force and Navy veterans. Author Sandeep Unnithan, in a recent X post, revealed that Rana, who was extradited from the US on Wednesday, allegedly planned to attack Jal Vayu Vihar in Mumbai to avenge the 1971 war.
Unnithan, whose parents resided in the colony, stated that information gleaned from David Headley’s 2010 testimony implicated Rana in reconnaissance of Jal Vayu Vihar. Headley, a key co-conspirator, revealed that Rana, a former Pakistani army doctor, had stayed at a Powai hotel while scouting the complex, targeting veterans of the 1971 war, including Unnithan’s father. The plot was ultimately abandoned due to the colony’s distance from the main attack sites in South Mumbai.
The revelation comes as Rana is set to face trial in India after exhausting his legal appeals against extradition. He is expected to be lodged in Tihar Jail upon arrival in Delhi. Rana’s alleged involvement, detailed by Headley, included facilitating Headley’s visa and the establishment of a Mumbai business as a cover for his reconnaissance activities. Headley’s testimony also highlighted Rana’s knowledge of the attacks and his communication with terrorist groups. Rana’s own stay at the Taj Mahal Hotel, which was a target of the 26/11 attacks, further underscores his alleged complicity.
Unnithan’s account highlights the scale of the 26/11 conspiracy and the chilling detail of Rana’s alleged motives. The author’s personal connection to the targeted colony underscores the human cost of the attacks and the ongoing quest for justice. Rana’s arrival in India marks a significant step in bringing those responsible for the 26/11 attacks to account.
First Piper 