Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia “one of India’s most wanted gangsters with alleged terror links” has been arrested in the United States and is now in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The arrest marks a significant breakthrough for Indian security agencies, who had been tracking him for his role in multiple terror-related incidents in Punjab.
Passia was carrying a Rs 5 lakh reward announced by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and had become a major headache for both Punjab Police and central intelligence units. His first images in custody have now surfaced, following his arrest in Sacramento by the FBI and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
The FBI released an official statement confirming his arrest. “Harpreet Singh, an alleged terrorist responsible for terror attacks in Punjab, India, was arrested by the FBI and ERO in Sacramento. Linked to two international terrorist groups, he entered the U.S. illegally and used burner phones to evade capture.”
Passia is believed to have had deep operational links with Pakistan’s ISI and terror outfits such as Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and the late Harvinder Singh Rinda’s network. Intelligence agencies allege that he was instrumental in planning and executing several attacks in Punjab, including a January 2025 blast near the Gumtala police post in Amritsar, where a senior officer’s vehicle exploded. Though the exact cause of the blast was unclear at the time, it was suspected to be triggered by a modified carburettor device.
After claiming responsibility for that attack, Passia issued further threats, vowing to carry out more such acts in retaliation for alleged police action against his family. He had also denied involvement with three men from Gurdaspur who were killed in a police encounter in Pilibhit, claiming they were not affiliated with his gang.
