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It’s been more than 16 years since the horrifying night of November 26, 2008 — when ten heavily armed terrorists stormed Mumbai, killing over 170 people and injuring hundreds more. The country watched in shock as the city came under siege for nearly three days.
While some of the people behind the attack have already been caught or named, others — big names who played key roles from across the border — are still out there. Now, with a major suspect, Tahawwur Rana, finally in India’s hands, investigators believe they may soon uncover more about who really planned and supported the deadly operation.
Who is Tahawwur Rana and why is his arrest a big deal?
Tahawwur Rana, who is currently in the custody of Indian security agencies, has been linked to the 26/11 attacks for years. Indian officials say he wasn’t just connected to the case — he was involved in helping plot it.
Rana was recently brought to India after long legal proceedings, and investigators believe he has crucial information about others who were part of the plan. He may also help reveal more about some of the terrorists still hiding out in Pakistan.
“After April 10, 2025, Tahawwur Rana has become the only accused from the 2008 attacks currently in India’s custody. His interrogation will help reveal the remaining secrets about the Mumbai terror plot,” a top agency official said.
The terror group behind it all: Lashkar-e-Taiba
The group that carried out the 26/11 attacks was Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terrorist organization. Investigators say they worked with multiple handlers to pull off the attack.
We already know some of the big names: Hafiz Saeed, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, and David Headley. But now, Tahawwur Rana’s name is back in the spotlight — and he’s believed to have worked closely with Headley, especially by helping him move around under the cover of his business and by connecting him to others in the terror network.
Meet Abu Qahafa: The man who trained the Mumbai attackers
One more name that’s come up again is Abu Qahafa — and according to Indian intelligence agencies, he played a huge role behind the scenes. Qahafa is said to be a senior trainer in Lashkar-e-Taiba and an expert in weapons and explosives.
He’s accused of training the 10 terrorists who carried out the Mumbai attacks, not just in how to fight, but in how to use tech like GPS and how to read maps. Basically, he helped make sure they could find and hit their targets with deadly precision.
He was also working closely with Sajid Majid — one of the main masterminds — and acted like his right-hand man during the planning stage. Sources say Qahafa was inside the LeT control room in Pakistan when the attack happened and was giving instructions to the attackers in real time.
India has asked Pakistan for voice samples of Abu Qahafa to confirm his role and bring more evidence to the table.
Abu Al Qama: Another mastermind India still wants
Then there’s Abu Al Qama, another senior Lashkar commander who was reportedly very active in Kashmir before the attacks. According to investigators, Al Qama trained the 10 attackers before they left for India.
He was in Karachi, Pakistan, when the terrorists set sail for Mumbai. Just like Qahafa, Al Qama was also inside the Lashkar control room while the attack unfolded — and reports say he was encouraging the terrorists to kill as many people as they could.
Pakistan claims to have arrested him and filed a charge sheet, but India still wants his voice samples to prove exactly what he did. Indian agencies say this could help expose his role on international platforms.
Sajid Majid: The top planner still on the loose
Possibly the most dangerous name in the whole 26/11 investigation is Sajid Majid, a top Lashkar commander who is believed to be the main mastermind.
He assisted David Headley directly and also financed his travels to India, where Headley was scouting for possible targets. Sajid assisted in the training of the attackers and in giving them final instructions for the operation to be undertaken.
Sources say Sajid was also in the control room during the attacks, giving orders and updates in real time. India has officially asked Pakistan for his voice recordings, too.
Sajid Majid isn’t just tied to Mumbai — he’s also named in a major NIA case from 2009 for planning more attacks across India. Plus, he and Headley allegedly teamed up to plan a separate terror strike in Denmark, which later became known as the “Danish Terror Plot.”
The story isn’t over yet
Even after all these years, the full truth behind 26/11 still hasn’t come out. Every time a new suspect is arrested or questioned, more pieces of the story are revealed. And with Tahawwur Rana now in Indian custody, investigators are hopeful that more names, more evidence, and more secrets will come to light.
But the big question remains: Will Pakistan ever hand over the rest of the people involved? India keeps asking for cooperation, voice samples, and action — but many of the accused are still living freely across the border.
“The conspiracy behind 26/11 involved many faces. And with each passing day, more of them are being exposed,” a senior Indian official said.
