The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested gangster-turned-terrorist Harpreet Singh, also known by aliases Happy Passia and Jora, in Sacramento, California. Singh, wanted in connection with multiple terror attacks in India and suspected links to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Khalistani extremist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), was captured on April 18 in a joint operation led by the FBI and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Confirming the arrest, FBI Director Kash Patel, the first Indian-American to lead the premier US law enforcement agency, assured the public that “justice will be done.”
“CAPTURED: HARPREET SINGH, part of an alleged foreign terrorist gang here illegally in the United States, who we believe was involved in planning multiple attacks on police stations both in India and the United States,” Patel announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this week. He praised the coordinated efforts of the FBI Sacramento team and international partners, adding, “Excellent work from all, and justice will be done. The FBI will continue finding those who perpetrate violence — no matter where they are.”
The arrest marks a pivotal moment in an international hunt for Singh, a native of Ajnala tehsil in Amritsar, Punjab, who had been evading authorities using untraceable burner phones and encrypted communication apps. FBI Sacramento emphasized that the case highlights “the importance of international cooperation in apprehending those who threaten global security.”
Singh had been declared an absconder by Indian authorities following a grenade attack on a residence in Chandigarh’s Sector 10/D area on October 1, 2024. In January this year, India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced a cash reward of ₹5 lakh for information leading to his capture.
Indian security agencies allege Singh played a critical role in a series of violent attacks in Punjab and maintained deep links with militant groups aiming to destabilize the region.
The arrest has been welcomed in both Washington and New Delhi as a major success in curbing cross-border terrorism networks. Further legal proceedings in the United States are expected to determine Singh’s fate, including the possibility of extradition to India.
As global security agencies continue to collaborate against growing international terror threats, officials reiterated that vigilance, intelligence-sharing, and swift action remain the pillars of maintaining peace.
