New Delhi (National Times): Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, a notorious gangster with alleged terror links, has been arrested in the United States, in what marks a key success for Indian security agencies. Passia is a known close associate of Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Singh Sandhu, alias Rinda.
Passia was wanted in India for his alleged involvement in multiple grenade attacks, including on a private house in Chandigarh and police stations in Punjab. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had earlier declared a Rs 5 lakh bounty on him, seeking public assistance in tracing his whereabouts.
According to officials, Happy Passia was nabbed by U.S. law enforcement following inputs shared by Indian intelligence. His arrest is being viewed as a major step in dismantling the cross-border crime-terror nexus backed by Pakistan’s ISI.
Rinda, originally a gangster from Punjab, has evolved into a terror operative with links to pro-Khalistani groups. He is accused of using criminal networks like Passia to execute terror activities within India.
With extradition efforts expected to follow soon, NIA sources confirmed that preparations are underway to bring Happy Passia to India, where he faces charges under stringent sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The arrest highlights the increasing global coordination among law enforcement agencies to counter the rising threat of narco-terrorism and cross-border crime syndicates.
