NEW DELHI: Pro-Khalistan terrorist and ISI's key henchman Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, is expected to be extradited from the US to India soon. Passia was held on April 17 in Sacramento, California, by FBI and US Immigration & Customs Enforcement and is lodged at a detention centre in the US.
Passia's arrest prompted an appreciation post from agency chief Kash Patel. "Captured: Harpreet Singh, part of an alleged foreign terrorist gang here illegally in the US, who we believe was involved in planning multiple attacks on police stations both in India and the US. @FBISacramento conducted the investigation coordinating with our partners locally as well as in India," Patel had posted on X.
Punjab Police have sought his extradition and, sources said, that Indian agencies have received information from their US counterparts that the request for the pro-Khalistan terrorist to be handed over is being processed. With a reward of over Rs 5 lakh on him, Passia is accused of being behind grenade attacks in Punjab, targeting law enforcement installations, sacred sites and residences of well- known figures.
According to a dossier, Passia operates on instructions from ISI and banned Khalistani outfit Babbar Khalsa International. Pak-based terrorist Harwinder Singh alias Rinda Sandhu, Passia has been orchestrating terror activities in Punjab besides carrying out extortion, shootings and arson. Builders, liquor contractors and Hindu leaders have been on his radar.
Born in Passia village in Ajnala, Passia left for Dubai a few years ago and before fleeing to the US during the pandemic on a forged passport, sources said. He was earlier a close associate of gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria but later started working for the Bambiha syndicate. Besides Passia, five others from Bambiha syndicate have been rounded up in the US, sources said. Gangsters like Daler Kota, Dinesh Gandhi and Sarabh Gadoli are among those who could be extradited to India in the coming months