US: FBI Arrests Khalistani Terrorist Linked To Punjab Attacks

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) have arrested Harpreet Singh, a key terrorist operative accused of orchestrating attacks in Punjab, India.

Singh, who was apprehended in Sacramento on Friday (18 April), is linked to two international terrorist organisations, including the Pakistan-backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), reported ANI.

The FBI stated, "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 US illegally and used burner phones to evade capture."

Singh, who is known as Happy Passia, was chargesheeted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in March this year in connection with the September 2024 Chandigarh grenade attack.

He, along with Pakistan-based Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, were identified as the primary handler and conspirator of the attack which targeted the residence of a retired Punjab Police official.

The NIA investigation revealed that Rinda and Singh provided logistics, finances, and weaponry to their on-ground operatives in Chandigarh.

They directed on-ground operatives Rohan Masih and Vishal Masih to carry out the attack, including twice conducting reconnaissance before launching the grenade.

The attack was aimed at spreading fear among law enforcement and the public, in alignment with BKI’s extremist agenda.

All four accused have been charged under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Explosive Substances Act, and associated legislations in the case filing earlier before the Special NIA Court, Chandigarh (RC15/2024/NIA/DLI).

Investigations are still ongoing, with the NIA working to identify the broader network of BKI in India.

In December last year, Punjab Police busted a BKI module operated by Harpreet Singh and another handler, Shamsher alias Honey.

The group, led by mastermind Abhijot Singh, was responsible for grenade attacks on police sites in Batala and Gurdaspur.

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