"Nobody has right to kill anyone": 26/11 attack eyewitness

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 11 : As 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana arrived in India on Thursday following his extradition from US, an eye-witness of the attack, Mohammed Taufiq, a tea seller known as 'Chhotu Chai Wala,' recalled the horror, saying one of the terrorist "abused" him and "pointed a gun" at him.
Speaking with ANI, Taufiq recalled the incident, "I had never seen anything like that even in films or on TV...I saw a man with a height similar to mine, carrying a bag and a gun, walking towards me. He abused me and pointed a gun at me. Only then did I realise that the man was a terrorist. I called up Police helpline number, I also called up my home."
He remarked that nobody has the right to kill anyone.
"I am a Muslim, he (Rana) too is a Muslim...Nobody has the right to kill anyone...We have not done anything to Pakistan...If you protect terrorists, you will suffer. That is what is happening there. Blasts are occurring there. They are harbouring terrorists and dons," he added.
Tahawwur Hussain Rana arrived in India on Thursday following his extradition by the United States.
Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sought a 20-day remand of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana. The court has reserved the order on how many days of remand to be granted.
Earlier on Thursday evening, Tahawwur Rana was produced before the Special NIA Court.
NIA further states that, as part of the criminal conspiracy, accused No. 1, David Coleman Headley, had discussed the entire operation with Tahawwur Rana before his visit to India. Anticipating potential challenges, Headley sent an email to Rana detailing his belongings and assets. He also informed Rana about the involvement of Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman in the plot.
The anti-terror agency has presented compelling evidence, including emails sent by 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana, to justify his police custody. The agency informed the court that custodial interrogation is crucial to uncovering the sinister plot. Investigators will also examine Rana's role in orchestrating the deadly terror attacks.Rana has been provided legal aid counsel by the Court.
Ahead of Rana's court appearance, Delhi Police swiftly cleared the court complex. Authorities vacated the premises entirely and instructed media personnel to leave, citing security and safety concerns. No individuals were allowed inside the complex as part of heightened security measures surrounding the event. The decision to restrict access was made to ensure the safety of all involved.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Thursday that it has successfully secured the extradition of Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice.According to the NIA, Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition. The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move.
"Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured in the deadly attacks. Both LeT and HUJI have been declared as terrorist organisations by the Government of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967," the NIA said.