Happy Passia, behind terror attacks in Punjab, held in US

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"Passia, an alleged terrorist who had illegally entered the US, was arrested by the FBI and the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Sacramento. Agents from the FBI’s legal attaché office in New Delhi informed Sacramento that he was wanted in connection with multiple terror attacks across Punjab," the US federal law enforcement agency said.

"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," the FBI said in a Facebook post.

Earlier this year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced a Rs 5 lakh reward on Passia for his alleged involvement in a grenade attack on a house in Chandigarh in September last year.

Passia is a close associate of Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terrorist Harvinder Singh Sandhu, alias Rinda.

In the last few months, 17 grenade attacks have been reported in Punjab. The attacks targeted police stations, religious sites and political leaders.

Passia's name has figured in the attacks, including on the house of BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia.

The gangster had claimed responsibility for an attack in January, in which a senior police official's vehicle exploded near the Gumtala police post in Amritsar.

Passia has been named in a recent chargesheet by the NIA in connection with the grenade attack in Chandigarh. The attack, targeting the residence of a retired Punjab Police officer, was part of a broader conspiracy by the BKI.

According to the NIA, Passia and Rinda were the chief conspirators behind the attack.

The two are alleged to have provided logistical support, funds and weapons to operatives on the ground in India. The accused reportedly directed local recruits — Rohan Masih and Vishal Masih — to conduct reconnaissance before executing the attack.

All four have been charged under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act and other laws. Investigations in the case are ongoing as the authorities seek to identify remaining members of the BKI network.