Happy Passia, the man who terrorised Punjab from abroad, detained in US
Happy Passia-- reportedly detained by the US security agencies on Thursday--has been the biggest headache for the Punjab Police in recent months as he was the alleged mastermind behind 16 targeted grenade attacks in the state.
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 U.S. illegally and used burner phones to evade capture. pic.twitter.com/vObj2xPa8Q
— FBI Sacramento (@FBISacramento) April 18, 2025
Originally known as Harpreet Singh from Passia village in Ajnala, he has emerged as a formidable challenge for the Punjab Police due to his extensive involvement in criminal and terrorist activities.
A police official confirmed that he illegally entered US via-Mexico, the illegal human trafficking route in 2021.
Earlier, he had escaped to the UK with the help of a fake identity in 2020.
He stayed there for several months before he entered the US.
A matriculate, Passia belonged an agriculturalist family, while his father had expired.
His mother Bhupinder Kaur and a younger sister Kirandeep Kaur were arrested by police for allegedly sheltering criminals.
In January, National Investigation agency (NIA) had announced Rs 5 lakh reward on him.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had also chargesheeted Passia along with his partner Harvinder Singh Rinda in a number of terror incidents, including the 2024 Chandigarh grenade attack case.
Criminal activities
Grenade attacks
Passia has been linked to at least 16 grenade attacks in Punjab, targeting police posts, religious sites, and residences of public figures, such as BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia. These attacks were part of a broader strategy to instil fear and undermine law enforcement.
Chandigarh grenade attack
In September 2024, Passia orchestrated a grenade attack on a house in Sector 10, Chandigarh, targeting former Jalandhar SP Jaskirat Singh Chahal and his family. Investigations revealed that the attack was coordinated from the US through operatives under his command.
Raimal village attack
Another grenade attack at a constable's house in Raimal village, Punjab, also bore Passia's signature. He claimed responsibility for the attack on social media, directly taunting law enforcement.
Terror modules
Passia, alongside Harwinder Singh Sandhu (alias Rinda), a Pakistan-based terrorist, has played a pivotal role in setting up terror modules in Punjab. These modules engage in extortion, smuggling and violent attacks.
Sidhu Moosewala case connection
Passia's network is suspected of involvement in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in 2022, highlighting the nexus between Punjab gangs and international terror networks.
How he challenged Punjab Police
Evading arrest
Passia has consistently outmanoeuvred the police by using untraceable phones with varying country codes, making his location difficult to pinpoint.
Social media claims
Following attacks like the ones in Chandigarh and Raimal village, Passia took to social media platforms to boast about his involvement, openly challenging the authorities.
International operations
His illegal entry into the US in 2021 through a human trafficking network allowed him to orchestrate activities from abroad. This posed significant hurdles for Punjab Police, who struggled to counter-act his international reach.
