Mumbai: Devika Rotawan, a survivor of the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks, has described the extradition of key accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana from the United States as a major victory for India. She also called for the exposure and prosecution of other conspirators still sheltered in Pakistan.

Rotawan, who was a crucial witness during the trial of terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Kasab – the sole surviving attacker – recalled the horror she experienced at just nine years old when she was caught in the crossfire at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai, one of the locations targeted by the terrorists on the night of November 26, 2008. She was shot in the leg, but survived. Her testimony was vital in securing the conviction of Kasab, who was later executed in 2012.

Now 25, Rotawan expressed her satisfaction over Rana’s extradition to India, highlighting its importance in the fight against terrorism. "This is a major win for India, and I wish to express my gratitude to the Indian government for achieving this," she said. "With Rana now brought to India to face justice, it marks the beginning of the end of terrorism in our country."

The survivor called for the Indian authorities to use Rana’s interrogation to uncover further details and expose all those still orchestrating terror from Pakistan. "Rana deserves the death penalty, but we must not forget the others who are continuing to sponsor terrorism from Pakistan. They too must face strict consequences," she added.

Recalling the horrific events of that night, Rotawan described how she, her father, and brother were waiting at the station when the terror unfolded. "We were sitting between platforms 12 and 13, waiting for a train, when the crowded station came under attack," she said. "I saw a man, later identified as Kasab, holding a large gun and opening fire at the passengers. I witnessed the deaths and injuries of many people, but I didn’t fully understand what was happening at the time. I was just a child."

Injured by the gunfire, Rotawan fell unconscious and was rushed to several hospitals for treatment, undergoing six surgeries to repair the damage to her leg. She added, "I saw Kasab firing at passengers, and my father saw both Kasab and Abu Ismail (another terrorist, later killed by security forces). On 10th June 2009, we attended the trial court where we identified Kasab."

Rana, a Pakistan-born Canadian national, was a close associate of David Coleman Headley (also known as Daood Gilani), one of the primary conspirators behind the attack. The attacks on November 26, 2008 were carried out by 10 heavily armed Pakistani terrorists, who infiltrated Mumbai by sea. They targeted CSMT, two luxury hotels, and a Jewish centre, resulting in the deaths of 166 people, including several American citizens, over the course of a 60-hour siege.

PTI