World News
Indian National Arrested in the U.S. for Alleged Role in Grenade Attacks in Punjab Sacramento, 18th April 2025: An Indian national, Harpreet Singh, has been arrested in the United States on charges related to orchestrating a series of grenade attacks in Punjab, India. The arrest took place on Friday when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) apprehended Singh in Sacramento, California. The FBI has alleged that Singh was involved with two international terrorist organizations and entered the U.S. illegally. Additionally, Singh is accused of using burner phones to evade detection and arrest. He is currently in U.S. custody, but has not yet commented on the allegations. The FBI described Singh in a post on X (formerly Twitter) as an “alleged terrorist responsible for terror attacks in Punjab, India.” According to local reports, Singh is believed to be linked to 14 of the 16 grenade attacks in Punjab over the past seven months. These attacks targeted police posts, religious sites, and the homes of public figures. Singh, also known by the alias "Happy Passia," is specifically wanted by Indian authorities for his involvement in a grenade attack on a house in Chandigarh city in 2024. The attack was aimed at a retired Punjab police officer. In January, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India had announced a reward of 500,000 rupees (approximately $5,855) for information leading to Singh’s capture. The NIA formally charged Singh and three others in March in connection with the attack. According to the NIA, all four individuals are linked to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a militant group designated as a terrorist organization by India. BKI seeks the creation of an independent Khalistan state in the Punjab region. The NIA’s statement named Singh and Harwinder Singh Sandhu, also known as "Rinda," as the primary individuals responsible for orchestrating the attack. Singh and Sandhu are accused of providing logistical support, terror funding, weapons, and ammunition to operatives in Chandigarh for carrying out the grenade attack. The NIA’s investigation further revealed that they had conspired to "strike terror among law enforcement officials and the general public." Sandhu remains at large and is listed as a “most wanted” suspect by the NIA. |
