he man behind the 16 terror attacks in Punjab and US, Khalistani terrorist Harpreet Singh, resident of Amritsar, Punjab, is also known as Happy Passia, was arrested in April and sent to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, is now being extradited to India
His name also figures in the National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s chargesheet filed in March 2024 in connection with the Chandigarh grenade attack, wherein Rinda and Harpreet were accused of funding, arming, and directing the operatives involved in that attack.
In January this year, the NIA put a reward of `five lakh on Passia in a case of the hand grenade attack in September last year on a house in Sector 10 of Chandigarh by two youths.
Kash Patel, the FBI Director, had assured that “justice will be done” following his arrest. “Captured Harpeet Singh, part of an alleged foreign terrorist gang here illegally in the United States, who we believe was involved in planning multiple attacks on police stations both in India and the United States,” he posted on X on April 22. “FBI Sacramento conducted the investigation coordinating with our partners locally as well as in India. Excellent work from all, and justice will be done. The FBI will continue finding those who perpetrate violence - no matter where they are,” Patel added.
Passia, a resident of the Passia village in the Ramdas area of Amritsar district, has emerged as a significant figure in a cross-border terror network orchestrated under the umbrella of the proscribed outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), with direct support from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Initially associated with the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, Passia’s criminal trajectory escalated sharply over the years, eventually tying him to radical elements and designated terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda. Under the direction and backing of Pakistan’s ISI, officers say Passia and Rinda orchestrated a sustained campaign of terror and extortion across Punjab, Maharashtra, and other states.
In 2021, Passia illegally entered the US through the Mexico border with the help of a human trafficking network and continued to coordinate terror activities from there. By 2023, Passia had fully aligned himself with Harwinder Singh Rinda, coordinating terror activities under BKI’s command. In August 2023, the Internal Security Wing of the Punjab Police uncovered a plan of target killings orchestrated by Rinda and Passia. In February 2025, Happy Passia and Harvinder Singh Rinda were identified as the masterminds behind the Nanded (Maharashtra) shooting that left one dead and another injured. The Punjab Police have arrested six people in connection with the case including key shooters.