Who Is David Headley? The Childhood Friend of Tahawwur Rana and 26/11 Mastermind Who Changed His Name and Identity

From military school in Pakistan to espionage for Lashkar-e-Taiba, David Headley’s double life spanned continents—and became key to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

New Delhi | April 10, 2025 — With Tahawwur Hussain Rana set to land in India and face justice for his alleged role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, attention has once again turned to David Coleman Headley, the Pakistani-American operative whose reconnaissance laid the foundation for the 2008 massacre that claimed 166 lives.

Also Read: Trump Approves Extradition of 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack Accused Tahawwur Rana to India

From Daood Gilani to David Headley

Born Daood Sayed Gilani in Washington D.C. to a Pakistani diplomat father and American mother, Headley spent much of his youth in Pakistan, attending the same military boarding school as his childhood friend Tahawwur Rana.

Also Read: How Tahawwur Rana & David Headley Plotted Beheadings in Denmark Under ‘Mickey Mouse Project’

Headley later moved to the U.S., where he worked odd jobs, including as a bartender in Philadelphia. His life took a dark turn when he was arrested in 1998 for heroin trafficking and sentenced to two years in prison. Upon release, he was recruited by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to work undercover in Pakistan — a move that would give him dual access to terror networks and intelligence services.

Also Read: “Very Clear That…”: Pakistan Distances Itself From Tahawwur Rana

Role in 26/11 and Links to Lashkar-e-Taiba

Between 2002 and 2005, Headley joined Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and attended multiple training camps. Under the guise of a business consultant, and with travel support arranged through Rana’s immigration firm, Headley made several trips to India between 2006 and 2008.

During these visits, he conducted meticulous surveillance of key 26/11 targets, including:

• Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST)
• Nariman House

His scouting helped LeT plan the logistics and layout for the deadly attack that unfolded in Mumbai on November 26, 2008.

Arrest and Sentence

Headley was arrested by U.S. authorities in 2009, not just for his Mumbai role, but also for plotting an attack on a Danish newspaper (The Mickey Mouse Project), targeting cartoonists who had published images of Prophet Muhammad.

In 2010, he pleaded guilty, cooperating extensively with U.S. and Indian agencies. His testimony revealed not just LeT’s planning structure but also alleged support from elements within Pakistan’s military and intelligence.

In exchange for his cooperation, he avoided the death penalty and is currently serving a 35-year sentence in a U.S. prison.

The Rana Connection

Headley’s travel cover, funds, and logistical base were allegedly enabled by Tahawwur Rana, now being extradited to India after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his plea to block the move.

As Rana prepares to face trial in India, David Headley’s testimony remains one of the most damning pieces of evidence against him — and a reminder of how childhood bonds evolved into global conspiracies.

Tags:
David Headley, Tahawwur Rana, 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Lashkar-e-Taiba, terrorism, India-US relations, Headley testimony, NIA, US extradition, Daood Gilani, Nariman House, Taj Hotel attack