Who is Tahawwur Hussain Rana? Know About Him

Tahawwur Hussain Rana is a Pakistani-Canadian man born on 12 January 1961 in Chichawatni, Punjabi, Pakistan. He used to be a military doctor in the Pakistan Army with the rank of Captain. Later, he moved to Canada and became a citizen. He settled in Chicago, USA and started businesses, including an immigration office and a halal butcher shop.

Friendship with David Headley

Rana was close friends with David Headley since their school days at Cadet College Hasan Abdal. Headley later became a key figure in planning terrorist attacks. This friendship played a big role in linking Rana to serious terrorism cases.

Business Life in the USA

After moving to the United States, Rana opened “First World Immigration Services” in Chicago, New York and Toronto. He also ran a halal meat business. He lived in a quiet neighborhood in Chicago with his wife and children. His family also owned a home in Ottawa, Canada.

Terrorism Charges

Rana was arrested in 2009. He was accused of helping in planning two major terrorist plots:

• 2008 Mumbai Attacks: A deadly attack in India that killed over 160 people.
• Planned Attack on Danish Newspaper (Jyllands-Posten): This was in revenge for publishing cartoons of Prophet Muhammad.

Although the U.S. court said Rana was not directly involved in the Mumbai attacks, he was found guilt of helping his friend Headley plan them. He was also guilty of helping with the planned Denmark attack.

Support to Terror Groups

Rana helped Headley by giving him fake documents and letting him use his immigration office as a cover. This allowed Headley to travel and meet with other terrorists without raising suspicion. Rana also passed messages between terrorists and received a video from AI-Qaeda, linking him to terrorist groups.

Rana’s Side of the Story

Rana said he helped Headley because he believed he was working for Pakistan’s spy agency (ISI). He claimed he didn’t know it was for terrorism. His family said he was innocent and peaceful and that Headley tricked him.

Links to other Militants

Rana and Headley were also in touch with Ilyas Kashmiri, a known terrorist leader connected to both AI-Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Rana also stayed connected with military friends from his school days, some of whom supported violence.

Court Verdict and Sentence

In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years in U.S. prison for helping terrorists. However, the court did not find him guilty of directly taking part in the Mumbai attacks.

Extradition to India

India wants Rana to face trial for the Mumbai attacks. In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court approved his extradition. This decision was confirmed by President Donald Trump in 2025. He may now be sent to India to face charges.

Why Rana’s Case is Important?

This case is important because it shows how even educated people with military backgrounds can become involved in terrorism. It also showed how terrorists now work in small international networks, making it harder for countries to stop them.