Gangster-Turned-Terrorist Happy Passia, Arrested In US, Had 'Links' To Pakistan's ISI
Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, a gangster-turned-terrorist wanted for multiple terror attacks in Punjab, is alleged to have links with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Khalistani outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), United States federal authorities stated on Friday. This comes as they confirmed that Passia, who had illegally entered the country, was apprehended in Sacramento by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
“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 US illegally and used burner phones to evade capture,” FBI Sacramento said in a statement on X.
The FBI added that agents from its Legal Attache office in New Delhi had provided inputs about Passia’s involvement in several attacks in Punjab. “He had been evading capture by using untraceable burner phones and encrypted applications. This case reinforces the importance of international cooperation in apprehending those who threaten global security,” the agency stated.
Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia 'Wanted In 16 Terror Attacks'
According to official sources in Punjab cited by news agency PTI, Passia is wanted for 16 terror attacks, including 14 grenade strikes, and is suspected to have worked closely with BKI. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced a reward of ₹5 lakh on him in January in connection with a hand grenade attack on a house in Chandigarh in September 2024.
Passia and Pakistan-based BKI terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda were named as accused in the case charge-sheeted by the NIA. Investigations by Punjab Police found that Passia provided weapons, explosives, and logistical support to the attackers through local associates. The attack was reportedly aimed at a retired Punjab Police officer residing in Chandigarh’s Sector 10.
Punjab Police’s dossier on Passia reveals he is facing 33 FIRs across multiple police stations, and 10 Look Out Circulars have been issued against him.
A resident of village Pashia in Amritsar district, Passia had left for Dubai in April 2018, returned briefly to India in February 2019, and later moved to London in October 2020 before finally entering the US.
He began his criminal journey by aligning with the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang and formed ties with US-based criminals Darmanjot Singh (Darman Kahlon) and Amritpal Singh (Amrit Bal). His links with Rinda eventually drew him deeper into terror activities.
Between September and October 2023, the duo carried out a series of extortion and terror attacks targeting liquor contractors and businessmen in Batala and Amritsar, using arson and shootings to force compliance.
Several terror modules backed by the Rinda-Passia nexus were busted by Punjab Police. These modules reportedly planned attacks on Hindu group leaders, police officers, religious processions, and liquor contractors to raise funds for terrorism.
The dossier further highlights that between late 2024 and early 2025, BKI executed 16 terror attacks in Punjab—14 involving hand grenades, one using an improvised explosive device (IED), and another with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG). Notable incidents include the planting of an IED near Ajnala Police Station on 23 November 2024 and an RPG attack on the Qila Lal Singh police establishment in Gurdaspur district on the night of 6–7 April.
These attacks were coordinated by Passia under Rinda’s direction, with assistance from US-based associates Gurdev Singh Jaisal Pehalwan, Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi Nawanshehria, and Germany-based Swaran Singh alias Jeevan Faujia.
According to the dossier, the network also recruited juveniles addicted to drugs, promising them cash and narcotics in return for carrying out terror acts. In December 2024, Punjab Police arrested a 17-year-old involved in the Ajnala IED case, who admitted he was lured with drugs and money.
The arrest of Passia marks a significant breakthrough in counterterrorism efforts and highlights growing international cooperation to curb cross-border terror networks operating from foreign soil.
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