Who Is Happy Passia? Khalistani Terrorist Behind 14 Grenade Attacks in Punjab to Be Deported from US

US-based Khalistani terrorist Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, who was arrested in California in April, is set to be brought back to India soon. Passia, wanted for multiple grenade attacks and terror cases in Punjab, has been in the custody of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since his arrest and will now be repatriated to face charges in India.

The FBI confirmed that Singh is linked to two international terrorist organisations and had entered the United States illegally. Officials said he had been using burner phones and encrypted applications to evade arrest.

The development comes weeks after India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) charged Singh in connection with the 2024 Chandigarh grenade attack. Singh, along with Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, was identified as a key conspirator in the case. The two are accused of providing weapons, funds, and logistical support to operatives who targeted the residence of a retired Punjab Police officer.

Following the arrest, FBI Director Kash Patel said, “Justice will be done.” In a post on X on April 22, he wrote, “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.”

Who is Happy Passia?

Passia hails from Passia village in Amritsar district, Punjab, and has been involved in criminal activities for several years. He is wanted in over 17 cases in India, including under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Arms Act, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

He has been linked to at least 14 grenade attacks across Punjab in the past year, targeting police stations, religious sites, and the residences of public figures, including a BJP leader. Singh is associated with Pakistan-based Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda and has ties to the Khalistani extremist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).

In 2021, Singh reportedly entered the United States illegally through the Mexico border using a human trafficking network. In January 2025, the NIA announced a reward of ₹5 lakh for information leading to his arrest. He has also been chargesheeted in the 2024 Chandigarh grenade attack.

Timeline of Terror: The Attacks Attributed to Happy Passia

According to sources, Happy Passia, in direct contact with Pakistan’s ISI, took responsibility for several terror attacks in Punjab, receiving continuous funding and weapons from Khalistani terrorist groups. Below is a timeline of key attacks attributed to him:

• November 24: RDX planted outside Ajnala Police Station (did not explode).
• November 27: Grenade explosion at a closed post in Gurbaksh Nagar.
• December 2: Grenade blast at Kathgarh Police Station, SBS Nagar.
• December 4: Blast at Majitha Police Station (police initially denied).
• December 13: Grenade attack on Aliwal Batala Police Station.
• December 17: Blast at Islamabad Police Station, deemed a terrorist attack by DGP.
• January 16: Grenade attack on a businessman’s house in Jantipur, Amritsar.
• January 19: Blast at Gumtala Chowki, Amritsar; BKI claimed responsibility.
• February 3: Attack on a closed police post on Fatehgarh Churian Road.
• February 14: Attack on a policeman’s house in Dera Baba Nanak.
• March 15: Attack on a temple by Thakur of Amritsar; accused killed in an encounter.

Direct Links With ISI and Pakistani Terrorist Rinda

Sources indicate Passia was in direct contact with top ISI officials in Pakistan while orchestrating these attacks. He operated in close coordination with Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, and the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), using encrypted channels for instructions and financial transactions.

Operation Underway to Bring Passia Back

Now, the mastermind of anti-national conspiracies will soon be brought back to India from the United States. The Punjab Police and central agencies are jointly executing this high-level operation to ensure that Happy Passia faces justice for the series of targeted attacks that rocked Punjab.

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