Gangster-turned-terrorist arrested in US had Interpol's Blue Notice against him on NIA's request

New Delhi: Gangster-turned-terrorist Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, who was arrested in the US, had Interpol's Blue Notice issued against him on the request of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with its probe in Chandigarh grenade attack case, official sources said on Friday.

The NIA has also declared a reward of Rs 5 lakh on the absconding accused. It had last month chargesheeted him along with three others, including Pakistan-based designated terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, for their involvement in the attack.

The sources said that there was a "Blue Notice" issued on the NIA's request against the absconding accused Passia.

The Interpol's Blue Notice is issued "to collect additional information about a person’s identity, location or activities in relation to a criminal investigation".

Interpol notices are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information.

Passia is also wanted in connection with multiple terror attacks across Punjab and is alleged to have collaborated with Pakistan's spy agency ISI and Khalistani group BKI, they said.

Passia alias Jora, who had illegally entered the US, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations in Sacramento.

"He had been evading capture by using untraceable burner phones and encrypted applications. This case reinforces the importance of international cooperation in apprehending those who threaten global security," FBI Sacramento said in a statement on X.

Punjab Police chief Gaurav Yadav said the arrest is a "major milestone in the success of war against terror", adding the matter has been taken up with the Central government and efforts are on to extradite Passia.

Official sources in Punjab said Passia is wanted for orchestrating 16 terror attacks, including 14 grenade strikes in the state and is also suspected to have collaborated with Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).

Earlier in January, the NIA had announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh on Passia in connection with the hand grenade attack on a house in Chandigarh in September last year.

The September 2024 attack was intended to target a retired Punjab Police officer, who the assailants believed to be the occupant of the house in Sector 10, Chandigarh.

Hailing from Pashia village in Amritsar district, Passia had left for Dubai in April 2018 and returned to India in February 2019. He went to London in October 2020 and thereafter moved to the US.

Between September and October 2023, Passia, in collusion with Rinda, orchestrated a series of extortion and terror activities in Punjab.

They targeted liquor contractors and businessmen by making extortion calls and executing arson and shooting incidents at liquor vends in Batala and Amritsar to instill fear and force compliance, the sources said.