FBI arrests Pak-BKI-linked Passia; staying in US illegally

New Delhi: The Federal Bureau of Investigation on Friday arrested Harpreet Singh, aka Happy Passia, in Sacramento in the United States. He is wanted by the National Investigation Agency for orchestrating more than two dozen terror incidents in Punjab.

FBI said Passia is linked to two international terrorist groups and entered the US illegally. FBI alleged he used burner phones to avoid arrest.

A key operative among pro-Khalistan elements, Passia fled to the US a few years ago and was operating along with Pakistan-based Harwinder Singh Rinda, an individual terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Both belong to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a banned outfit under UAPA, official sources said.


In a post on X, FBI Sacramento said: "Today, Harpreet Singh, an alleged terrorist responsible for terror attacks in Punjab, India, was arrested by FBI and ERO in Sacramento. Linked to two international terrorist groups, he entered the US illegally and used burner phones to evade capture."

On March 23, NIA charge sheeted four BKI terrorists, including Rinda and Passia, in the 2024 Chandigarh grenade attack case. According to the NIA, the two were the primary handlers and conspirators behind the 2024 attack. "They had provided logistical support, terror funds, weapons and ammunition to operatives in Chandigarh for executing the grenade attack. The September 2024 attack was intended to target a retired officer of Punjab Police," NIA said.

"Investigations revealed that Rinda, along with Happy Passia, had orchestrated the conspiracy to strike terror among law enforcement officials and general public through the grenade attack, as part of the broader aim to promote BKI's terrorist agenda. They had recruited local operatives, namely Rohan Masih and Vishal Masih, who were tasked with carrying out the attack under their direct instructions," the agency noted. Rinda and Passia directed them to conduct reconnaissance before hurling grenades, as per probe.