Mumbai Massacre mastermind extradited to India; Israel ambassador celebrates

Tahawwur Rana, the man considered the mastermind behind the Mumbai Massacre of 2008, which murdered over 160 people including a Chabad shaliach and his wife, is finally being extradited to India to stand trial, according to a report today (Thursday) by Ynet.

Rana had originally been on the American radar as far back as 2009 and was imprisoned for 14 years for his involvement in what India called its 9/11, an attack involving ten terrorists infiltrating major locations in the city of Mumbai and opening fire on civilians and throwing grenades into the crowds.

Most of the terrorists were eliminated in the subsequent gunfights, though one remained alive and was executed in 2012.

According to India Today, Rana did everything possible to avoid extradition, including claiming "double jeopardy," since he had already been tried and convicted in the United States for similar crimes, as well as appealing to different courts around the United States and even a number of times to the Supreme Court on the grounds of his ill-health, especially his Parkinson's and other ailments. Every last appeal was rejected.

The Israeli ambassador said that "I wish to congratulate the government of India for its insistence on bringing the terrorists to justice. We welcome this move, which was meant to impose responsibility for the terrible terrorist attacks which took many lives, including those of Israelis."

India has long accused Pakistan of supporting the terrorist group behind the attacks, a charge Pakistan denies.