US arrests Babbar Khalsa-linked terrorist Harpreet Singh in Sacramento

California: In a major breakthrough in an international terrorism case, the FBI and US Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested Harpreet Singh, a wanted terrorist linked to multiple attacks in Punjab, India. Singh was apprehended in Sacramento, California, on Friday for alleged links to two international terrorist organisations, including Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and for illegally entering the United States.

According to the FBI’s Sacramento division, Singh had been evading arrest by using burner phones and false identities. The agency confirmed his involvement in a grenade attack that occurred in Chandigarh in September 2024, which was targeted at a retired Punjab Police officer. The attack was orchestrated in coordination with Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda.

On March 23, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India had chargesheeted Harpreet Singh, also known as Happy Passia, along with Rinda and two local operatives, for conspiracy to commit acts of terror in India. The accused were found to have provided funds, weapons, and logistics to operatives Rohan Masih and Vishal Masih for the execution of the grenade attack.

The NIA chargesheet filed under UAPA, the Explosive Substances Act, and other laws highlighted that Singh and Rinda directed reconnaissance and coordinated the attack remotely. Investigations remain ongoing as Indian authorities work to dismantle the wider BKI terror network operating both domestically and abroad.

Previously in December 2023, Punjab Police had busted a Babbar Khalsa-linked module backed by Pakistan’s ISI, which was being run by Singh and his associate Shamsher alias Honey. Five operatives, including the alleged mastermind Abhijot Singh, were arrested in connection with grenade attacks on police facilities in Batala and Gurdaspur.

(With ANI inputs)