Harpreet Singh (C) held by an FBI and a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Sacramento, California. (Photo: FBI)
New Delhi: The United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation in Sacramento, California has arrested Harpreet Singh, also known as Happy Passia, an alleged Khalistani terrorist linked to the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), which India has designated as a terrorist organization. Singh is wanted by the National Investigation Agency for his alleged involvement in multiple terror attacks in Punjab, including alleged grenade assaults targeting police stations, places of worship, and residences of public figures.
In a Facebook post, the FBI office in Sacramento said: “Today, Harpreet Singh, an alleged terrorist responsible for terror attacks in Punjab, India, was arrested by the #FBI & #ERO in Sacramento. Linked to two international terrorist groups, he entered the U.S. illegally and used burner phones to evade capture. [Sic]”
This is seen an yet another milestone of cooperation between New Delhi and Washington, DC in capturing transnational terror suspects following the recent extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, wanted by New Delhi for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, from the US to India.
Indian Reaction to Harpreet Singh’s Arrest
The Punjab Police and the NIA have welcomed the arrest as a significant breakthrough in their ongoing efforts to dismantle ISI-backed terror networks operating in Punjab. The director general of Punjab Police, Gaurav Yadav, described the arrest as “a major milestone in the sustained crackdown on ISI-backed terror networks.” Indian agencies have already initiated the extradition process to bring Singh to India to face charges.
The FBI Sacramento office confirmed that Singh had entered the United States illegally and was apprehended with the assistance of the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Singh had been evading capture by using burner phones and encrypted messaging apps, complicating efforts to track him down. The FBI also stated that Singh had collaborated with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and BKI, highlighting the cross-border nature of the terror network.
The NIA had filed a chargesheet in March 2025 against Singh and three others, including Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, accusing them of orchestrating a grenade attack on a retired Punjab Police officer’s residence in Chandigarh in September 2024. The chargesheet alleges that Singh and Sandhu provided weapons, funds, and logistical support to operatives in India to carry out terror attacks aimed at intimidating law enforcement and the public.
Terror Activities Linked to Harpreet Singh
Intelligence sources link Harpreet Singh to at least 16 terror incidents in Punjab over the past two years. These include 14 grenade attacks, one improvised explosive device (IED) blast, and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) strike. One notable attack involved a modified carburettor-based IED explosion near a senior police officer’s vehicle in Amritsar in January 2025, a method associated with Singh’s network.
Singh’s network reportedly targeted liquor contractors, businessmen, and Hindu leaders in Punjab through extortion, arson, and targeted shootings to finance their terrorist activities. The group also allegedly recruited drug-addicted minors for carrying out attacks in exchange for cash and narcotics, exposing a disturbing recruitment tactic.
The Punjab Police dossier names several international associates of Singh, including Gurdev Singh Jaisal Pehalwan and Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi Nawanshehria in the US, and Germany-based Swaran Singh alias Jeevan Faujia, indicating a transnational terror network.
Who is Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia?
Harpreet Singh, known by his alias Happy Passia, is a prominent operative of Babbar Khalsa International, a militant group advocating for the creation of an independent Khalistan state in Punjab. BKI has been banned in India as a terrorist organization due to its involvement in violent separatist activities.
Singh’s criminal career reportedly began with the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang before he aligned himself with Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, a Pakistan-based terrorist and a key figure in BKI’s operations. Together, they developed a terror-extortion module targeting various sectors in Punjab to fund their activities. Their methods included extortion calls, arson attacks on liquor shops, and targeted shootings aimed at spreading fear and consolidating control.
Singh is accused of masterminding and facilitating at least 16 terror attacks in Punjab over the last two years. His alleged involvement spans grenade attacks, IED blasts, and RPG strikes, with a signature use of modified carburettor-based IEDs. His network’s attacks have targeted police personnel, government officials, and civilians, aiming to destabilize the region and intimidate the public.
He has been on the radar of Indian security agencies for years, with the NIA offering a reward of ₹5 lakh for information leading to his capture. Singh’s ability to evade law enforcement was aided by his use of burner phones and encrypted communication apps, as well as his illegal entry and stay in the US.
Singh’s international connections include associates based in the US and Germany, indicating a well-established global network supporting Khalistani terrorism. His recruitment strategy involved exploiting vulnerable drug-addicted youth, coercing them into carrying out violent acts in exchange for drugs and money, which has been a disturbing trend in Punjab’s terror landscape.
With Singh now in FBI custody, Indian authorities are pressing for his extradition to face trial under stringent anti-terror laws, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosive Substances Act. The arrest is expected to deliver a significant blow to the Babbar Khalsa International’s operational capabilities both within India and abroad.
