New Delhi: After securing his extradition from the United States, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to begin questioning 26/11 conspirator Tahawwur Hussain Rana on Friday. Officials say Rana could be the key to finally exposing several high-ranking masterminds behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Taken into custody Thursday evening on orders from a Special Court in Delhi, Rana will be interrogated at the NIA headquarters in the morning. His questioning marks a crucial turning point in India’s years-long pursuit of justice for the attacks that killed 166 people.

Who could Rana expose?

Rana holds vital intelligence on the handlers, funders, and planners of the 26/11 attacks. Here's who he might name:

Hafiz Saeed – The alleged mastermind and chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Rana's close associate, David Coleman Headley, had already named him as the main planner.

Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi – Lashkar’s military chief, who reportedly selected the 10 attackers and directed operations from Karachi.

Sajjad Mir – The trainer and project manager of the attackers. David Coleman Headley had named him repeatedly in his testimony.

Major Iqbal – An operative of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He allegedly gave resources and funding for the attacks.

Ilyas Kashmiri – A senior Al-Qaeda figure who reportedly backed the 26/11 plan to destabilise India.

David Coleman Headley – Rana's long-time friend and a key plotter, turned US government witness. Rana could shed light on Headley's movements, cover-ups, and false claims.

Why Rana matters now?

Rana, a former army doctor turned businessman, is believed to have facilitated Headley's travels and acted as a link between terrorists and intelligence operatives. His extradition is being seen as a major win for Indian investigators, who hope his interrogation will help connect loose ends and prove Pakistan’s direct involvement.

With 18 days of NIA custody, authorities are hopeful that Rana’s testimony will reveal the full blueprint of 26/11 and the players still hiding behind the curtain.