“Today, Harpreet Singh, an alleged terrorist responsible for terror attacks in Punjab, India, was arrested by the FBI and ERO in Sacramento. Linked to two international terrorist groups, he entered the US illegally and used burner phones to evade capture,” said the FBI on social media.
Today, Harpreet Singh, an alleged terrorist responsible for terror attacks in Punjab, India, was arrested by the #FBI & #ERO in Sacramento. Linked to two international terrorist groups, he entered the U.S. illegally and used burner phones to evade capture. pic.twitter.com/vObj2xPa8Q
– FBI Sacramento (@Fbisacramento) April 18, 2025
According to the FBI, Singh was wanted in connection with multiple terror attacks in Punjab, India. He is suspected of collaborating with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).
Harpreet Singh allegedly entered the US illegally via the Mexico border in 2021 using a human trafficking network. He had been evading capture by using untraceable burner phones and encrypted applications. The agency also confirmed his involvement in a grenade attack that occurred in Chandigarh in September 2024, which was targeted at a retired Punjab Police officer, in collaboration with the Pakistan-based terrorist Rinda.
Singh is currently in custody of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, he does have the right to contest deportation.
Who Is Harpreet Singh?
Harpreet Singh is accused in 17 criminal cases in Punjab related to terrorism, transnational conspiracy, and illegal activities. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet against him under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for terrorism and conspiracy.
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He is accused of masterminding multiple terror attacks in Punjab, targeting the police, religious sites and law enforcement establishments. He is also charged under the Explosive substance Act for orchestrating grenade attacks and Indian Penal Code (IPC) for murder, attempted murder, and criminal conspiracy.
In January 2025, the NIA also announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh on Harpreet Singh. He is also included in India’s most wanted list, specifically in connection with the Chandigarh grenade attack. A separate 2015 Punjab & Haryana High Court case convicted him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for possessing 1 kg of heroin.
According to sources, Singh remains in constant contact with top-level ISI officials in Pakistan and receives substantial support from Khalistani terrorist groups. He is considered one of the biggest threats to the law and order situation in Punjab.
In March 2025, the US FDA issued a 10-year debarment order against him for felony convictions related to drug importation, money laundering, and obstruction of justice (unrelated to terrorism). India is pursuing deportation or extradition to try him for terrorism charges.
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Terror Attacks Involving Harpreet Singh
Over the last four months, his name has surfaced in connection with multiple attacks on police checkpoints across Punjab. Sources believe that Harvinder Singh Sandhu and other Khalistani terrorists in Pakistan are provided funds and weapons to other Khalistani extremists in other countries, including Singh.
- November 24, 2024: An explosive was recovered outside the Ajnala police station. Singh claimed responsibility for the attempt, while the police arrested two suspects in the case and recovered hand grenades from them.
- November 27, 2024: A grenade explosion occurred at a closed police outpost in Gurbaksh Nagar.
- December 2, 2024: A grenade exploded at Kathgarh police station in SBS Nagar. Police arrested three terrorists in connection with the incident and recovered weapons from them.
- December 4, 2024: A grenade explosion took place at the Majitha police station in Amritsar, but police denied it was an attack, stating instead that a police officer’s motorcycle tire had burst. However, former MLA Bikram Majithia shared photos of the police station and claimed it was indeed a terrorist attack.
- December 13, 2024: A grenade explosion occurred at Aliwal Batala police station. Singh and his associates claimed responsibility for the attack, which was also carried out during the night.
- December 17, 2024: A grenade was detonated at the Islamabad police station in Amritsar. Initially, both the Police Commissioner and local police denied it was a blast, but by afternoon, the Punjab DGP visited Amritsar and confirmed it was a terrorist attack involving an explosive device.
- January 9, 2025: A blast occurred at the Gumtala police post in Amritsar. Babbar Khalsa International claimed responsibility for the incident.
- January 16, 2025: In Jaintipur village of Amritsar district, a grenade attack was carried out at night on the home of liquor businessman Amandeep Jaintipuria.
- February 3, 2025: Terrorists targeted an abandoned police outpost on Fatehgarh Churian Road in Amritsar. It was a low-intensity blast, and the police refused to classify it as a grenade attack.
- February 14, 2025: In Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur district, a low-intensity explosion targeted the home of a police officer.
- March 15, 2025: A terrorist attack took place at the Thakur Dwara Temple in Amritsar. The accused, Gursidakh Singh, was killed in an encounter.
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Singh was allegedly also involved in an attack at BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia’s house as well as a grenade attack on a YouTuber’s house.