In a significant development in the global crackdown on terrorism, Harpreet Singh, a most-wanted terrorist associated with attacks in Punjab, India, has been arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Sacramento, California. Singh, who was actively evading Indian authorities, has been linked to two international terrorist organizations, including the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a banned outfit under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in India.

According to official sources, Harpreet Singh, also known by aliases Happy Parsia and Jora, hails from Amritsar district in Punjab. He is believed to have lived briefly in the UK before entering the United States illegally via Mexico in 2021. During his time in the US, Singh used burner phones and false identities to evade capture, as confirmed by FBI Sacramento in a post shared on social media platform X.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India has been actively pursuing Harpreet Singh for his involvement in multiple terror-related cases, the most prominent being the Chandigarh hand grenade attack that took place on October 1, 2024. The grenade was thrown at a residence in Sector 10/D of Chandigarh, leading to panic and triggering a high-level investigation.

On March 23, 2025, the NIA filed a comprehensive chargesheet against four operatives of the banned terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), naming Harpreet Singh as a key conspirator. The charges included sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Substances Act, and several sections of the Indian Penal Code. The agency had earlier declared him an absconder and announced a cash reward of ₹5 lakh for any information leading to his arrest.

Despite fleeing Indian jurisdiction, Singh remained on the radar of international law enforcement agencies. His arrest by the FBI and ERO is being considered a breakthrough in counter-terrorism cooperation between India and the US. The operation was carried out after months of surveillance and intelligence gathering by American agencies.

According to reports, Singh’s arrest may now trigger an extradition request from Indian authorities, as he is wanted in India for his direct involvement in the Chandigarh grenade attack, among other cases. Sources also claim that Singh’s name has surfaced in interrogations of other BKI operatives, suggesting he played a key role in coordinating terror activities remotely from abroad.

Singh’s use of modern evasion techniques like burner phones, illegal border crossings, and assumed identities is a textbook case of how modern terrorism networks operate transnationally. His arrest, however, is a setback to such covert operations, and may provide crucial leads on sleeper cells and operatives still active within India.

In response to Singh’s arrest, the NIA has welcomed the move and is expected to initiate formal procedures to seek his extradition. Indian agencies believe that questioning Singh could yield invaluable insights into cross-border funding, recruitment, and logistical support networks of BKI.

This development also brings attention to the international operations of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), which has long been accused of reviving pro-Khalistan agendas from foreign soil, using diaspora connections and dark money channels to finance its campaigns.

Meanwhile, law enforcement in Punjab and other parts of India remain on high alert, as the agencies comb through data to neutralize any domestic links of the BKI that may have been coordinated through Harpreet Singh. The focus remains on preventing further terror attempts, especially those involving explosives or targeted political violence.

As the case unfolds, Singh’s arrest will likely serve as a template for enhanced global cooperation in dealing with international terrorism, particularly India-centric threats operating from outside the country. With international agencies increasingly aligned in their mission to dismantle such networks, Harpreet Singh’s capture marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing war against terrorism.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.