A man wanted in India for his alleged involvement in multiple terror attacks, including a 2024 grenade blast in Chandigarh, has been arrested in the United States.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that Harpreet Singh, also known as “Happy Passia”, was captured in Sacramento on Friday by FBI agents and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
Singh had reportedly entered the U.S. illegally and had used burner phones and encrypted communication apps to avoid arrest.
According to the FBI, Singh is linked to two international terrorist organisations, including Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a group banned by India for its violent campaign to establish Khalistan.
Indian agencies suspects he has ties with Pakistan’s intelligence service and was a key handler in orchestrating attacks targeting Indian police and civilians.
India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) had issued a reward of ₹500,000 (AUD10,000) for information leading to Singh’s arrest, after connecting him to a grenade attack in September 2024 on the home of a retired Punjab police officer in Chandigarh.
In March, the NIA filed charges against Singh and three others — including Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda — for their roles in the attack.
The NIA said Singh and Sandhu provided logistical support, terror funding, weapons, and coordinated with India-based operatives to execute the strike.
Local Indian media has also linked Singh to at least 14 of 16 grenade attacks carried out in Punjab over the past several months, targeting police facilities, religious sites, and prominent individuals.
Singh is currently in U.S. custody and has not made a public statement regarding the charges. Meanwhile, Indian authorities are pressing for further dismantling of the BKI network and seeking the extradition of those facing terror charges.
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