Bengaluru Arms Case: LeT operative extradited from Rwanda

New Delhi, Nov 28: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully extradited Salman Rehman Khan, a terrorist with links to the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), from Rwanda. Khan is accused of providing financial and logistical support, including arms and ammunition, to Bengaluru-based terrorist modules. His extradition is part of a covert operation carried out by the CBI’s Global Operations Centre, in collaboration with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Kigali.

Khan is implicated in a number of serious charges, including criminal conspiracy, membership in a terrorist organisation, and supplying material support to LeT. The NIA took over the case in 2023, registering charges under the Arms Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and provisions related to terrorism. He is believed to have facilitated the transportation of firearms, explosives, and funds to support terror activities in Bengaluru.

The investigation began after Bengaluru City Police discovered a large cache of weapons at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison during a raid in 2023. The authorities seized seven pistols, four hand grenades, one magazine, 45 live rounds, and four walkie-talkies, which were part of a larger network aimed at spreading radical ideology and supporting LeT’s operations.

Following the seizure, the NIA took charge of the case and soon identified Khan as a key player in the operation. Khan was tracked down to Rwanda based on intelligence gathered by Indian authorities, prompting Interpol to issue a Red Notice on August 2, 2024, at the request of the CBI.

In a significant step forward, a security team from the NIA successfully extradited Khan, bringing him back to India for prosecution. This marks the third high-profile extradition carried out by the CBI this month, following the extraditions of Barkat Ali Khan from Saudi Arabia on November 14, and Raihan Arabikkalalarikkal, also from Saudi Arabia, on November 10.

Khan’s return to India is seen as a major achievement in the fight against global terrorism, underscoring the effectiveness of international cooperation in countering the spread of extremist violence.