Terrorist Happy Passia, responsible for 14 grenade attacks in Punjab

Terror Trail Ends Abroad: Happy Passia, Mastermind of Punjab Grenade Attacks, Arrested in the US

In a major breakthrough that marks a turning point in India’s battle against cross-border terrorism, Harpreet Singh — more infamously known by his alias Happy Passia — has been arrested in the United States. Accused of orchestrating a series of violent grenade attacks in Punjab, Passia's capture brings hope to a region long haunted by terror networks that thrive on international support and underground criminal ties.

For years, Indian intelligence and anti-terror agencies had been chasing the shadow of a man whose trail crisscrossed international borders, slipped through loopholes in immigration systems, and operated with a network as elusive as it was dangerous. Now, with his arrest, the long arc of justice has finally begun to bend.

A Name That Spread Fear

To those unfamiliar with Punjab’s recent history of militancy, the name Happy Passia may not ring alarm bells. But within security circles, law enforcement agencies, and among families affected by senseless violence, it carries a sinister weight.

Hailing from Passia village in the Amritsar district, Harpreet Singh was once a name among many in rural Punjab. But over time, he morphed into a central figure in a web of terror operations, allegedly responsible for at least 14 grenade attacks in the state between 2022 and 2024.

These attacks weren’t random — they were calculated, methodically planned, and executed with military precision. Targets included police stations, government buildings, and public gatherings. Though fatalities were miraculously limited, the psychological impact was immense, rekindling fears of Punjab’s troubled past during the peak of insurgency in the 1980s and 1990s.

Among the most alarming incidents was the grenade blast in Sector 10, Chandigarh — an attack that prompted a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe and confirmed suspicions that a larger transnational terror plot was unfolding.

The Modus Operandi: Sophisticated, Global, and Dangerous

What sets Happy Passia apart from many local gangsters or even homegrown extremists is his style of operation. Far from being a ground-level foot soldier, Passia allegedly acted as a crucial node in a global terror network — one that drew ideological strength from Khalistani separatist sentiments and tactical support from Pakistan-based operatives.

Investigations revealed that Passia was in regular contact with Harwinder Singh Sandhu, also known as Rinda, a wanted terrorist linked to the banned group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Rinda, operating out of Pakistan, is considered one of the masterminds behind attempts to reignite militancy in Punjab by smuggling weapons and radicalizing youth.

Happy Passia served as an intermediary and executor — receiving instructions, recruiting local operatives, distributing arms, and coordinating strikes. He used encrypted communication platforms and burner phones with foreign SIM cards, often switching country codes to throw off surveillance. According to NIA reports, these phones were disposed of after a few calls, making it exceedingly difficult to trace his movements.

This wasn’t the work of a rogue criminal. It was the work of a strategist deeply embedded in an ideology-driven campaign — and that made him all the more dangerous.

A Long Trail of Crimes

While his name is most prominently associated with grenade attacks, Passia's criminal dossier is extensive and multifaceted. Indian authorities have linked him to 17 separate cases under a variety of serious charges — including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Arms Act, and Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

These cases span a timeline from November 2022 to early 2024, indicating not a one-off spurt of violence, but a sustained and deliberate campaign. His involvement ranged from arms trafficking and extortion to drug smuggling and targeted intimidation. In many instances, local criminal elements were recruited and co-opted into larger terror modules under his leadership.

In 2023, as the intensity of his operations grew, Indian authorities issued a non-bailable arrest warrant. The NIA even announced a monetary reward of ₹5 lakh for any information leading to his arrest. But by then, Passia had already disappeared — slipping out of the country and vanishing into a maze of international safe houses.

How He Reached the United States

One of the most baffling aspects of Happy Passia’s story is how he managed to flee India despite his rising profile as a terror suspect. Intelligence agencies believe he left the country illegally, possibly using forged documents or through human trafficking routes that exploit weak border controls in some regions.

By mid-2024, Passia was reportedly residing in the United States under a false identity. Despite being under international watchlists and facing multiple charges in India, he had managed to enter and move freely within American borders — a chilling reminder of how globalized the world of terrorism has become.

He is believed to have continued his activities from abroad, not necessarily by orchestrating new attacks, but by coordinating logistics, sharing intelligence with Pakistani handlers, and funding criminal associates in Punjab.

It was this ongoing activity, coupled with mounting international pressure, that eventually led to his arrest.

The Arrest: A Global Cooperation Milestone

The exact location and circumstances of Passia’s arrest in the U.S. have not been publicly disclosed — likely due to operational sensitivities. However, officials in both countries have confirmed that the arrest was made possible through intelligence sharing and diplomatic cooperation.

Sources suggest that U.S. federal agencies had been monitoring his communications for several months. When they confirmed his identity and location, swift action followed. Passia was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held pending extradition proceedings.

The Indian government has formally requested his extradition, citing the severity and number of charges against him. While the process may take time — especially given legal safeguards in the U.S. judicial system — his arrest alone has been welcomed as a significant win for India’s counterterrorism apparatus.

Impact on Punjab and Beyond

The arrest of Happy Passia has rippled across Punjab — not only within law enforcement agencies but also among the public. There’s relief, certainly. But also a deeper sense of vindication for families and communities who lived through the anxiety of past attacks.

Officials have noted that while his removal from the field is a major achievement, the networks he helped establish are still active. The struggle is far from over. But with his capture, one of the biggest nodes in that network has been neutralized.

More importantly, authorities believe his interrogation could yield crucial information about the roles of foreign handlers, sleeper cells within India, and the routes used for arms smuggling. That intelligence could help preempt further attacks and even dismantle the infrastructure that supports cross-border terrorism.

A Symbolic Victory Against Khalistani Extremism

Happy Passia’s story isn’t just about one man. It’s emblematic of the new face of Khalistani-linked extremism — a digital-age menace that uses ideology, technology, and international mobility to wage a modern war against the state.

What was once a localized separatist movement has now evolved into a shadowy, transnational ecosystem of radical groups, sympathetic diaspora supporters, and foreign state sponsors. Passia was one of the linchpins of that system.

His arrest, therefore, goes beyond criminal justice. It is a geopolitical signal — that India is not only capable of identifying these threats, but also of coordinating global action to neutralize them.

What Comes Next?

As the legal machinery grinds forward, and the extradition case proceeds through American courts, Indian authorities are tightening their hold on remaining members of the network. Several of Passia’s associates have already been arrested, and investigations are underway to trace money trails and weapons caches he helped procure.

Public sentiment in Punjab is cautiously optimistic. There is an awareness that the roots of extremism run deep and that a single arrest cannot erase decades of ideological damage. But there is also hope — that with each dismantled cell, with each arrested handler, and with each foiled attack, the grip of fear loosens.

Conclusion

The arrest of Happy Passia is more than just the end of a manhunt. It is a victory of patience over panic, of collaboration over chaos. It underscores the value of relentless investigation, diplomatic perseverance, and global resolve in the fight against terrorism.

While the road ahead may still be difficult, this milestone has proven one thing beyond doubt: no matter how far they run, justice is not bound by borders.