Washington/New Delhi, Apr 18 (UNI) The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that it has arrested Harpreet Singh, wanted in India for multiple terror attacks in Punjab. He has links with Pakistan's ISI and Khalistani terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI),

The FBI in a social media post said:

“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.”

The FBI said that “Agents from the FBI’s Legal Attaché office in New Delhi, informed Sacramento that Singh was wanted in connection with multiple terror attacks across Punjab, India.

“Singh is suspected to have collaborated with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).

“He had been evading capture by using untraceable burner phones and encrypted applications. This case reinforces the importance of international cooperation in apprehending those who threaten global security.”

According to reports, Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, is believed to be responsible for 14 grenade attacks over the last six months in Punjab.

Passia is in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the US.

Passia is among India's most wanted criminals and carries a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head. The reward was announced by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in January this year over his alleged involvement in grenade attacks on a house in Chandigarh and police stations in Punjab.

In recent days, as many as 16 grenade attacks have been reported in Punjab, targeting police posts, religious sites, and residences of public figures, including BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia.

Passia’s name is reported to have cropped up during investigations into at least 14 such attacks, according to reports.

UNI RN