FBI arrests Harpreet Singh alias ‘Happy Passia’ in US, accused of orchestrating 14 terror attacks in Punjab, wanted by NIA

Punjab blasts accused terrorist and ‘wanted gangster’ Happy Passia arrested from Sacramento

Harpreet Singh, also known as ‘Happy Passia‘, a fugitive wanted for multiple terror-related incidents in Punjab, has been apprehended by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Sacramento, California. The arrest marks a significant development in international efforts to combat transnational terrorism.​

Background and criminal activities

Originating from Passia village in Ajnala, Punjab, Singh has been linked to numerous criminal and terrorist activities. He is alleged to have orchestrated at least 16 grenade attacks across Punjab, targeting police posts, religious sites, and residences of public figures, including a 2024 attack on a house in Chandigarh’s Sector 10, which was intended to harm a retired Punjab Police officer. ​

Singh is also suspected of involvement in the 2022 murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, highlighting the nexus between organized crime and terrorism in the region. ​

International links and modus operandi

Singh is believed to have deep operational ties with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and terror outfits such as Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). He reportedly entered the US illegally in 2021 and utilized burner phones and false identities to evade detection.

In December 2023, Punjab Police dismantled a BKI module operated by Singh and his associate Shamsher alias Honey, arresting five members involved in grenade attacks on police establishments in Batala and Gurdaspur.

Legal proceedings and charges

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had previously filed a chargesheet against Singh and his associates under multiple sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosive Substances Act, and other related laws. Investigations revealed that Singh and his Pakistan-based associate Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda provided logistical support, funds, and weapons to operatives in India for executing terror attacks.

Passia was carrying a Rs.5 lakh reward announced by the NIA and had become a major headache for both the Punjab Police and the central intelligence units.

Current status and implications

Singh is currently in the custody of US authorities. His arrest is expected to facilitate further investigations into transnational terror networks and may lead to additional arrests and the dismantling of such operations. Indian agencies will likely pursue extradition proceedings to bring Singh to justice in India.​

This arrest underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing global security threats and the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism.

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