Harpreet Singh, a terrorist linked to attacks in Punjab, was arrested in the United States on Friday by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). According to authorities, Singh is connected to two international terrorist organisations and had entered the U.S. illegally, using burner phones to avoid detection.
In a post on X, the FBI Sacramento office confirmed the arrest, stating: “Today, Harpreet Singh, an alleged terrorist responsible for terror attacks in Punjab, India, was arrested by the FBI and ERO in Sacramento. Linked to two international terrorist groups, he entered the U.S. illegally and used burner phones to evade capture.”
Singh, also known as Happy Passia, was previously chargesheeted by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his involvement in the 2024 Chandigarh grenade attack case. He and Pakistan-based designated terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda—both associated with the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)—were identified as the masterminds behind the attack.
The grenade attack in September 2024 targeted the home of a retired Punjab Police officer. Investigations revealed that Singh and Rinda provided funding, logistical support, and weapons to on-ground operatives in Chandigarh. The NIA also named local operatives Rohan Masih and Vishal Masih in its chargesheet, alleging that they were recruited and directed by Singh and Rinda to conduct reconnaissance and execute the attack.
The NIA has filed charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosive Substances Act, and other laws, and continues its investigation to dismantle the BKI network in India.
In December 2024, Punjab Police had already disrupted a Pakistan-ISI-backed BKI module operated by Harpreet Singh and another handler, Shamsher alias Honey. That operation led to the arrest of five operatives involved in grenade attacks on police establishments in Batala and Gurdaspur.