The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has extradited Salman Rehman Khan, a fugitive linked to the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), from Rwanda.
Salman, who was implicated in the Bengaluru Prisons terror conspiracy case, faced charges of supplying explosives and involvement in terror-related activities.
The operation, executed in coordination with the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Interpol, and National Central Bureaus (NCBs), marks a crucial step forward in India’s ongoing efforts to combat global terrorism. Salman was apprehended in Kigali, Rwanda, on November 27 and was brought back to India early this morning.
His extradition came after Interpol issued a Red Notice, following a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) that had been issued by the NIA Special Court in Bengaluru. The NIA confirmed that Salman was part of the terror radicalization and recruitment case involving Bengaluru Central Prison, which had been exposed earlier.
The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) said, “In the framework of international cooperation in fighting cross-border crime, Rwanda has extradited Mr. Salman Khan, alias Salma, wanted by the Government of India for his association with a terrorist group operating on its territory. The suspect was arrested in Kigali based on an INTERPOL Red Notice issued by India. This extradition demonstrates Rwanda’s commitment not to provide a safe haven for criminals.”
Salman’s case is tied to an investigation (RC-28/2023/NIA/DLI) that the NIA took over from the Bengaluru City Police on October 25, 2023. He is accused of facilitating the collection and distribution of explosives for terror activities. After the terror network was exposed, Salman was declared a fugitive.
NIA investigations revealed that Salman had been radicalized during his imprisonment in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case between 2018 and 2022. He was reportedly recruited by T Naseer, a convicted terrorist serving a life sentence, who allegedly orchestrated a terror recruitment drive within Bengaluru Central Prison. Naseer’s plans included his own escape and efforts to advance LeT’s operations.
After his release, Salman is accused of aiding the terror network and fleeing India after the conspiracy was uncovered. The NIA has charged him under multiple sections of the IPC, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Arms Act, and the Explosive Substances Act.
This extradition marks the 17th major NIA success in extraditing fugitives since 2020. In recent months, the NIA has successfully extradited several other terrorists, including Khalistani operatives Tarsem Singh Sandhu and Bikramjit Singh from the UAE and Austria, respectively. In October, Baljeet Singh, alias Baljeet, was deported from the UAE in connection with a Khalistan Tiger Force conspiracy.
(Inputs from ANI)