FBI Arrests Gangster-Terrorist Harpreet 'Happy' Passia in Sacramento for Punjab Terror Attacks:

The FBI captured Harpreet Singh, aka Happy Passia, on April 18 in Sacramento, California. He is believed to be the perpetrator of multiple terror attacks in Punjab, India. Passia has links with Pakistani gangster-turned-terrorist Harvinder Singh Sandhu aka Rinda.

The Sacramento division of the FBI verified the arrest using X citing Passia’s presumed links with two international terror groups. His officials claimed to have made his arrest in United States illegally and had disposed of phones which he used to identity concealment via burner phones.

NIA Links Passia To Various Recoverable Attacks Across Punjab

Indian intelligence agencies have confirmed Passia’s arrest in the US. Prior to his arrest, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had publicly announced a bounty of ₹5 lakh for Passia due to his presumed involvement in the grenade attacks aimed at targeting police stations and the homes located in Chandigarh throughout Punjab.

In the last seven months, there have been 16 cases of grenade attacks in Punjab directed towards police posts, public religious places and the abodes of prominent public figures like BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia. Passia is alleged to have conducted around 14 of those attacks.

Chandigarh Assault and Immediate Findings

The National Investigation Agency has requested an arrest warrant from the Chandigarh District Court regarding a grenade assault on September 11, 2023, at Sector 10, which is purportedly the residence of former Jalandhar SP Jaskirat Singh Chahal. The shotgun attack was executed by Rohan and Vishal Masih with Passia purportedly taking responsibility afterward on social media.

The probes suggested that this attempt was under consideration while Passia was in contact with Rinda. There is further intelligence that suggests Passia came to be Rinda’s foremost partner after Rinda severed relations with Lakhbir Singh Sandhu also known as Landa, a Canadian-based Khalistani terrorist.

Unauthorized Entry and Function Within Terrorism Network

Informed sources claim that Passia illegally entered the United States in 2021 allegedly through a network of human traffickers. Ever since, it is claimed that he assisted Rinda in establishing additional terrorism cells in Punjab. These officials contend that this cabal has actively contributed to the region's increasing terrorism.

There are also investigations on Rinda for the presumed involvement in the assassination of the puja singer Sidhu Moosewala in 2022. The NIA is still working on the larger puzzle of Punjab gangs and their terrorist affiliations.