FBI tags Passia as member of alleged foreign terror gang
TNN | Apr 23, 2025, 07.24 AM IST
NEW DELHI: FBI director Kash Patel on Tuesday described arrested Khalistani terrorist Happy Passia as a member of an alleged foreign terrorist gang, sparking significant interest in the intelligence community. In a post on X, he said Passia was involved in planning multiple attacks on police stations both in India and US, acknowledging that Khalistani terrorists were against US interests as well.
The FBI director's acknowledgement of Harpreet Singh alias Passia as an alleged terrorist is likely to have significant implications for international cooperation on counter-terrorism efforts. Sources said it could lead to increased cooperation between India and US, particularly in cases involving Khalistani terrorists which can help to disrupt terrorist networks and prevent future attacks.
"CAPTURED: HARPREET SINGH, part of an alleged foreign terrorist gang here illegally in the United States, who we believe was involved in planning multiple attacks on police stations both in India and the United States. FBI Sacramento conducted the investigation in coordination with our local partners as well as Indian counterparts. Excellent work from all involved - justice will be served. The FBI will continue to pursue those who perpetrate violence, no matter where they are," Patel said on X.
The intelligence officials see the Trump administration's strong stance on terrorism as a significant change from the prevailing situation till last year wherein a string of gangsters and terrorists made their way to Canada and ultimately to US, posing a significant security challenge.
"The FBI director's statement on Tuesday is not an one-off instance. Incidentally, the FBI Sacremento office had posted on Facebook on April 18 that Singh was suspected to have collaborated with Pakistan's ISI and the Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International. Naming ISI in an official FBI statement was significant," said a senior intelligence officer.
Singh was arrested on Thursday in Sacramento, California, by the FBI and US immigration officials.
The FBI director's acknowledgement of Harpreet Singh alias Passia as an alleged terrorist is likely to have significant implications for international cooperation on counter-terrorism efforts. Sources said it could lead to increased cooperation between India and US, particularly in cases involving Khalistani terrorists which can help to disrupt terrorist networks and prevent future attacks.
"CAPTURED: HARPREET SINGH, part of an alleged foreign terrorist gang here illegally in the United States, who we believe was involved in planning multiple attacks on police stations both in India and the United States. FBI Sacramento conducted the investigation in coordination with our local partners as well as Indian counterparts. Excellent work from all involved - justice will be served. The FBI will continue to pursue those who perpetrate violence, no matter where they are," Patel said on X.
The intelligence officials see the Trump administration's strong stance on terrorism as a significant change from the prevailing situation till last year wherein a string of gangsters and terrorists made their way to Canada and ultimately to US, posing a significant security challenge.
"The FBI director's statement on Tuesday is not an one-off instance. Incidentally, the FBI Sacremento office had posted on Facebook on April 18 that Singh was suspected to have collaborated with Pakistan's ISI and the Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International. Naming ISI in an official FBI statement was significant," said a senior intelligence officer.
Singh was arrested on Thursday in Sacramento, California, by the FBI and US immigration officials.