Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, a Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) Khalistani terror fugitive, was taken into custody in Sacramento, California. The FBI and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) jointly arrested him for his suspected involvement in terror activities and illegal entry in the US.
Singh is said to have entered the US in 2021 via the Mexico border with a human trafficking network. He then evaded detection after crossing illegally into the country by using burner phones that could not be traced and encrypted communication apps.
Harpreet Singh, who is charged with carrying out terror attacks in Punjab, India, was arrested today by the FBI and ERO in Sacramento. Linked to two foreign terrorist groups, he entered the United States illegally and used burner phones to evade detection,” the FBI tweeted.
Who Is Harpreet Singh?
Harpreet Singh is said to have worked out of Germany and is a prime public safety threat in Punjab. He is accused of planning and conducting several terror attacks, particularly on police stations and religious places in the state.
Indian investigative agencies claim Singh was closely collaborating with Pakistan’s ISI and Babbar Khalsa. He is believed to have provided logistical aid, arms, and money to other Indian operatives. The New York Times claims that Singh is also an admitted associate of Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda—a Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terrorist.
India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) had offered ₹5 lakh as a reward for Singh’s capture. He was accused of a grenade attack on a retired police official in Chandigarh in September.
Sources further state that Rinda and other Pakistan-based Khalistani agents have been giving money and weapons to their international network, with Singh at the forefront of carrying out their operations overseas. He also has charges for transnational conspiracy, terrorism, and drug trafficking.
Will He Be Deported to India?
Singh is currently in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He is wanted in India for 17 criminal cases of murder, terrorism, criminal conspiracy, and drugs.
India is demanding his extradition or deportation to stand trial for his crimes. Singh, however, has the right to appeal his deportation in US courts, which could slow down or complicate the process. Still, Indian authorities are pursuing all available legal avenues to have him brought back to prosecute.
