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An Indian, wanted in connection with multiple terror attacks across Punjab and who is alleged to have collaborated with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has been arrested by the FBI, the US agency said. Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia alias Jora, an “alleged terrorist who had illegally entered the US”, was arrested by the FBI and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations in Sacramento.

"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 US illegally and used burner phones to evade capture," FBI Sacramento said in a statement on X.

Harpreet Singh's Pakistans ISI link

Agents from the FBI's Legal Attache office in New Delhi, India, informed Sacramento that Singh was wanted in connection with multiple terror attacks across Punjab, India, FBI Sacramento said. Singh is suspected to have collaborated with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). "He had been evading capture by using untraceable burner phones and encrypted applications. This case reinforces the importance of international cooperation in apprehending those who threaten global security," FBI Sacramento said.

In January, India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh for gangster Harpreet. He is wanted in a case of hand grenade attack on a house in Chandigarh. He is a native of Ajnala tehsil in Amritsar, Punjab. Singh is an absconder in the case registered on October 1, 2024, in connection with the hand grenade attack carried out on a house in Sector 10/D, Chandigarh.

Chandigarh grenade attack case

On March 23, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) chargesheeted four terror operatives of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist organisation in the 2024 Chandigarh grenade attack case. The chargesheeted accused include Pakistan-based Designated Individual Terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, and US-based Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia. The two terrorists were the primary handlers and conspirators behind the attack. They had provided logistical support, terror funds, weapons, and ammunition to India-based on-ground operatives in Chandigarh for executing the grenade attack.

The September 2024 attack was intended to target a retired officer of the Punjab Police, who the assailants believed to be the occupant of the house. Investigations revealed that Rinda, along with Happy Passia, had orchestrated the conspiracy to strike terror among law enforcement officials and the gen

 eral public through the grenade attack, as part of the broader aim to promote BKI's terrorist agenda. They had recruited local operatives, namely Rohan Masih and Vishal Masih, who were tasked with carrying out the attack under their direct instructions. Rinda and Happy directed the other accused, Rohan Masih and Vishal Masih, to conduct reconnaissance on the target twice before hurling the grenade, investigations revealed.

(With inputs from agency)

Also Read: Happy Passia, Terrorist Involved In Chandigarh Grenade Attack, Arrested By FBI In US; Linked To 14 Other Attacks In Punjab