Punjab government claims arrest was based on state police and intelligence inputs
The arrest of notorious terrorist Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia in the United States has sparked fresh political controversy in Punjab. Reacting to the development, Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora released a video statement directly attacking Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, claiming the arrest was made based on critical inputs provided by Punjab Police in coordination with central intelligence agencies.
Aman Arora, who is also the AAP Punjab President, said that Pasian had claimed responsibility for multiple recent bomb blasts. “The Punjab Government and Punjab Police were closing in on him. The news of his arrest is a major success. Both the Punjab Police and intelligence agencies deserve full credit,” said Arora.
Terrorist Harpreet Singh aka Happy Passia arrested by FBI and ERO with input of Punjab Counter Intelligence. He is responsible of various grenade attack happened lately in Punjab and Chandigarh.
Arora Targets Bajwa Over Past Remarks on Punjab Police
In his statement, Arora questioned those who, he said, had been creating an atmosphere of fear in Punjab. “Leaders like Partap Singh Bajwa used to say that Punjab Police should be dissolved, that they are ineffective and go to sleep by 7 PM. Now they must answer what the basis for such statements was,” Arora said.
He added that the arrest of a terrorist overseas—based on intelligence from Punjab Police and national agencies—is a major achievement. “Punjab Police is the same force that ended the era of terrorism on its own,” he stated.
Praise for Punjab Police and Warning to Anti-Social Elements
Arora lauded the Punjab Police’s recent track record in combating terrorism. “The force has steered the state out of the dark days of terror and continues to help international agencies in tracking down extremists. Anyone who tries to disturb Punjab’s peace will never be forgiven,” he asserted.
Bajwa Accused of Undermining State Image
The AAP minister accused Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa of tarnishing Punjab’s image for political gain and said that instead of repeatedly questioning the functioning of Punjab Police, Bajwa should now clarify the basis of his past allegations.
Happy Passia Arrested in Sacramento by U.S. Authorities
Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, the mastermind behind several grenade attacks in Punjab, was arrested in Sacramento, California by U.S. law enforcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shared his photograph with the caption: “Terrorist responsible for attacks in Punjab, India, arrested in Sacramento.”
Links with ISI, BKI; Over 14 Terror Incidents in Punjab
Passia is believed to be closely linked with Pakistan’s ISI and had collaborated with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Rinda to carry out numerous grenade attacks and other acts of terror in Punjab. Sources reveal that agencies had long been aware of his illegal presence in the United States, where he frequently used burner phones to avoid detection.
NIA Had Announced ₹5 Lakh Reward
In January 2025, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had declared a ₹5 lakh reward for information leading to Pasian’s arrest. He was listed as a wanted accused in the Chandigarh grenade attack case and his name appeared on the NIA’s official list of most-wanted terrorists.
