The Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from Enforcement and Removal Operations arrested Pakistan-born terrorist Harpreet Singh, aka Happy Passia, in Sacramento, Calif., on Friday.
Singh was wanted for 14 grenade attacks in the northern India state of Punjab. He is alleged to belong to two separate international terrorist organizations. He is a known close associate of Rinda, the alias of terrorist Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda.
“Today, Harpreet Singh, an alleged terrorist responsible for terror attacks in Punjab, India, was arrested by the #FBI & #ERO in Sacramento. Linked to two international terrorist groups, he entered the U.S. illegally and used burner phones to evade capture,” FBI Sacramento said in a statement posted on X.
Today, Harpreet Singh, an alleged terrorist responsible for terror attacks in Punjab, India, was arrested by the #FBI & #ERO in Sacramento. Linked to two international terrorist groups, he entered the U.S. illegally and used burner phones to evade capture. pic.twitter.com/vObj2xPa8Q
— FBI Sacramento (@FBISacramento) April 18, 2025
The BBC and Indian Express report, citing India’s National Investigation Agency, that Singh and Rinda were responsible for attacking the house of a retired Punjab police officer in the city of Chandigarh in 2024.
“They had provided logistical support, terror funds, weapons and ammunition to India-based on-ground operatives in Chandigarh for executing the grenade attack,” according to a NIA statement said.
“The NIA has filed an application in the Chandigarh District Court seeking an arrest warrant against Passia in connection with the hand grenade attack on a house in Sector 10, Chandigarh on September 11 last year,” according to a source cited by the Indian Express.
The media outlet noted that Singh and Rinda conspired on the terrorist attack. “The grenade attack, which targeted former Jalandhar SP Jaskirat Singh Chahal and his family, was carried out by two persons — Rohan and Vishal Masih — who escaped after hurling the grenade.”
Quoting an Indian police officer familiar with the case, the Indian Express reported that Singh subsequently posted on social media that he was responsible for the attack. Another official noted that Singh “entered the US in 2021 with the help of an illegal human trafficking network.”
