A man whose name had become synonymous with a chilling wave of grenade attacks and targeted violence across Punjab has finally been cornered. Harpreet Singh, better known by his alias Happy Passia, was arrested in Sacramento, California, on April 17, 2025, in a joint operation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Passia, originally from Passia village in Ajnala, Amritsar, was not just another fugitive on the run. He was the alleged mastermind behind 16 grenade attacks in Punjab, including the high-profile 2024 strike in Chandigarh’s Sector-10, which targeted the residence of former Jalandhar SP Jaskirat Singh Chahal. His name also figures prominently in the network suspected to be involved in the 2022 assassination of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala — a case that rattled the public and exposed the international links of gang-terror syndicates operating from foreign shores.
Investigating agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), had earlier chargesheeted Passia along with Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda in several terror cases. The NIA had even declared a Rs five lakh reward for credible information leading to his arrest. With his capture, one of the most wanted men in Punjab’s recent criminal history is now behind bars.
From Farmland to Fugitive: The Making of Passia
A matriculate from an agrarian family in rural Punjab, Harpreet Singh’s descent into the underworld is as puzzling as it is tragic. He began his criminal career with gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, and his USA-based associates — Darman Kahlon and Amrit Bal.
After fleeing India in 2020 using a fake identity, he spent time in the UK before sneaking into the US via Mexico’s notorious human trafficking route in 2021. His family wasn’t far removed from his activities — his mother, Bhupinder Kaur, and sister, Kirandeep Kaur, were arrested for sheltering criminals, showing the extent of his criminal entrenchment.
From his new base in the US, Passia began coordinating attacks in Punjab through operatives on the ground, using encrypted and frequently changing phone numbers with international codes to evade tracking. His social media posts, in which he brazenly took responsibility for attacks, became a tool to instill fear and to mock law enforcement.
Orchestrating Terror from Afar
Under the alias Happy Passia, he operated in close coordination with Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, a key operative of the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and a known agent of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Together, they established terror modules across Punjab, Maharashtra, and beyond. Their operations included grenade attacks on police posts, IED blasts, extortion rackets, and even rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) strikes.
Among the most shocking of these attacks was the Chandigarh grenade strike and a similar attack at a constable’s residence in Raimal village — both of which bore Passia’s unmistakable signature. He claimed responsibility via social media, turning his public persona into one that thrived on fear and notoriety.
Authorities said that the duo's objective was to destabilize Punjab, disrupt communal harmony, and revive terror networks under ISI’s command. Vulnerable youth battling drug addiction were often lured with cash and narcotics to serve as foot soldiers in their operations.
Punjab Police’s Relentless Pursuit
The arrest is being seen as a culmination of two years of tireless effort by Punjab Police in cooperation with Indian intelligence agencies and their counterparts in the US. A detailed dossier was prepared and shared with the FBI’s legal office in New Delhi, including evidence of 14 grenade attacks, one IED blast, and one RPG attack directly attributed to Passia.
Punjab Police officials revealed that they had issued multiple Look-Out Circulars (LOCs) and Blue Corner notices against Passia, while simultaneously dismantling the modules he created between 2023 and 2025. His international network was painstakingly mapped and neutralized through coordinated operations.
According to police sources, his arrest is not just a legal success but also a psychological victory, especially considering his social media posturing and the image he had cultivated as being “untouchable” on foreign soil.
Extradition Process Underway
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Friday hailed the arrest as a “major milestone” in the fight against terrorism. DGP Yadav, in a video message, confirmed that extradition proceedings have been initiated and that the Punjab Police are in touch with central agencies to bring Passia back to India to face trial.
“Between 2023 and 2025, Happy Passia played a central role in orchestrating targeted killings, grenade attacks on police establishments, and extortion across Punjab and other states,” DGP Yadav said. “His arrest in the US is the result of excellent international cooperation and persistent intelligence sharing.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), DGP Yadav added, “Our resolve remains firm — to protect every citizen of Punjab, dismantle terror ecosystems, and uphold peace in the face of cross-border threats. Crime does not pay, and those indulging in terror will be brought to justice.”
DGP Yadav said: “Our investigation has found direct involvement of Happy Passia in majority of terror acts, which took place in the state after September 2024…Passia was masterminding the terror activities sitting in USA, using a network of vulnerable youth struggling with addiction, recruiting them to carry out these acts in exchange for money and narcotics.”
Happy Passia’s Criminal Activities
- Linked to 16 grenade attacks across Punjab
- Orchestrated Chandigarh grenade attack in Sept 2024
- Claimed Raimal village attack on social media
- Involved in one IED blast and one RPG attack
- Ran terror modules with Pak-based terrorist Rinda
- Suspected role in Sidhu Moosewala’s murder
- Carried out extortion and targeted killings
- Recruited addicts to execute attacks for money
- Spread propaganda and threats online
- Worked under ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa International