NIA takes 26/11 accused Rana’s voice, handwriting samples

In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday collected voice and handwriting samples of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the case. The samples were recorded during in-camera proceedings at a Delhi court.

Rana, brought to the court under tight security, appeared before Judicial Magistrate First Class Vaibhav Kumar. Sources confirmed that his handwriting was recorded inside the judge’s chamber, consisting of various alphabetic and numeric samples.

Piyush Sachdev, Rana’s counsel, confirmed compliance with the court’s directive. “My client has fully cooperated with the latest court order mandating the submission of his voice and handwriting samples,” Sachdev stated.

The samples are expected to be matched with intercepted communication and documents that the NIA believes are linked to Rana during his alleged coordination with Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), the group behind the 26/11 attacks.

Rana is currently undergoing intense interrogation by the NIA, which is focused on extracting operational insights into LeT’s international network and logistics. His questioning takes on added urgency in the wake of the recent Pahalgam massacre, where 26 civilians were killed by operatives of The Resistance Front (TRF), widely viewed as a shadow group for LeT.

Security agencies suspect the TRF has been used to conceal Lashkar’s direct role in terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities hope Rana’s statements will provide critical leads into the group's evolving strategies and transnational operations.