In a breakthrough in an international counter-terrorism operation, Harpreet Singh, also known by the alias Happy Pashia — an alleged terrorist wanted in connection with a series of grenade attacks in the Indian state of Punjab — has been apprehended by United States federal authorities.
The arrest was carried out in a joint operation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in Sacramento, California.
Law enforcement agencies revealed that Harpreet Singh had been living in the United States illegally, having entered the country by circumventing immigration laws.
In an apparent effort to avoid detection and apprehension, Singh had been making extensive use of untraceable burner phones, which allowed him to communicate while leaving little digital footprint for authorities to follow.
The FBI officially announced the successful arrest via a public statement on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) early Friday morning, according to Indian Standard Time.
In the post, the federal agency confirmed Singh’s capture and highlighted his suspected involvement in terrorist activities in India. The statement read:
“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.”
Singh, a resident of Passia village, located in the Ajnala subdivision of Punjab, India, had long been on the radar of Indian security agencies for his suspected involvement in a string of violent incidents.
Authorities have linked him to no fewer than 16 grenade attacks across Punjab, most of which targeted security personnel, police outposts, religious establishments, and private residences situated in sensitive areas along India’s international border.
The attacks associated with Singh had triggered widespread fear and heightened security alerts in the region, given the nature of the targets and the potential for mass casualties.
His name had surfaced repeatedly in investigations carried out by Indian intelligence and counter-terrorism agencies, which also pointed to his close links with at least two internationally designated terrorist organizations, though their names have not yet been disclosed in the FBI’s public statement.
Singh’s arrest marks a significant step in ongoing collaborative efforts between Indian and American security agencies, aimed at tracking down and neutralizing cross-border threats and terrorist operatives who attempt to exploit international safe havens.
His capture is expected to pave the way for deeper investigations, including the possibility of uncovering the extent of his network, both within the United States and abroad.
Authorities have not yet released further details about Singh’s current immigration status, the timeline of his illegal entry into the U.S., or whether the process of extradition to India has been initiated.
However, the arrest underscores the growing cooperation between global law enforcement agencies in cases involving international terrorism and fugitive suspects.
Back in Punjab, Singh’s alleged role in orchestrating grenade attacks had made him one of the most wanted individuals on state and national security lists.
The attacks he is accused of planning and executing were not only acts of violence but also part of a larger effort to destabilize the region, undermine security forces, and create communal unrest.
Officials believe that Singh’s arrest will also likely provide critical leads about his associates, handlers, and the broader terror networks he was connected to, both in India and overseas.
Security agencies are expected to intensify their investigations following this development, which could have implications for counter-terrorism efforts on both sides of the globe.
As the legal process moves forward, Singh will likely face a series of hearings in the United States before any decision on extradition is finalized.
Indian authorities are anticipated to press for his swift deportation so he can stand trial for the alleged crimes committed on Indian soil.
