In a major success for Indian security agencies, preparations are underway to bring Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Happy Pasia back to India from the United States. He is accused of orchestrating multiple grenade blasts and terror attacks in Punjab and Chandigarh. With deep ties to Pakistan’s ISI and designated terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda, Pasia’s return is expected to play a crucial role in cracking the terror-gangster nexus currently destabilizing the northern states of India.
Arrested by FBI in April 2025
Happy Pasia, a key member of the Babbar Khalsa network, was arrested on April 17, 2025, by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Sacramento, California. His arrest followed months of surveillance and tracking. Pasia had entered the U.S. illegally and was operating covertly, using burner phones to avoid detection. The FBI released a photograph of Pasia post-arrest and stated that he was wanted for his involvement in terrorist activities carried out on Indian soil.
Currently, Pasia remains in the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His arrest and impending deportation mark a milestone in international cooperation against global terrorism.
14 Terror Attacks in Punjab: ISI Links Confirmed
According to intelligence sources, Happy Pasia is believed to be closely associated with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He worked directly with ISI-backed militant Harvinder Singh Rinda and the Babbar Khalsa International group. Together, they are accused of executing over 14 grenade and IED attacks across Punjab from 2023 to 2025.
The attacks targeted police stations, intelligence offices, and public infrastructure. Several of them were high-profile incidents that raised security concerns across the state. Sources confirm that Pasia played a key role in not just planning these attacks but also recruiting local youth through encrypted communication platforms.
NIA Declared ₹5 Lakh Reward
In January 2025, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officially declared a reward of ₹5 lakh for any information leading to Happy Pasia’s capture. He was listed as “Wanted” on the NIA’s official website in connection with the Chandigarh grenade blast case. The agency also released his photo and full identity details to alert the public and encourage tips about his whereabouts.
It was through consistent intelligence sharing and collaboration between Indian and U.S. agencies that Pasia’s exact location was traced in California. His detention in Sacramento marked the beginning of a possible legal and diplomatic process for extradition.
Background: Who is Happy Pasia?
Happy Pasia hails from the village of Pasia in the Ajnala subdivision of Amritsar district, Punjab. He initially entered the world of crime through gangster networks, particularly with notorious gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and his associates in the U.S. Over time, Pasia transitioned from organized crime to full-fledged terrorism.
He became a trusted aide of Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda, known for masterminding several attacks on Indian security forces. Pasia was reportedly responsible for handling multiple ISI-funded terror modules operating within Punjab. His roles included logistical coordination, supply of arms and explosives, and communication management.
Security agencies believe that between 2023 and 2025, Pasia was a central handler for coordinated killings, extortion operations, and targeted grenade assaults in Punjab. His contribution to building sleeper cells and radicalizing local youth has been under scrutiny for several years.
Impact of His Return to India
The extradition of Happy Pasia could prove to be a turning point in India’s fight against cross-border terrorism and domestic radical networks. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to conduct in-depth interrogations upon his arrival in India. Authorities are hoping to uncover critical links between ISI operatives, Khalistani separatist movements, and gangster-terrorist alliances.
It is also expected that Pasia may reveal key insights into the structure and hierarchy of BKI’s overseas operations. His knowledge of U.S.-based Khalistani networks and their funding sources could help Indian authorities and international law enforcement to crack down on global terror financing.
The move is being hailed as a major diplomatic win for India, especially amid rising concerns over the spread of Khalistani propaganda from foreign soil.
Khalistani Terror Network Under the Scanner
In recent years, Indian agencies have intensified crackdowns on Khalistani extremist elements operating from Canada, the UK, and the United States. Happy Pasia’s case adds to the growing list of international arrests and deportations of individuals linked to banned groups like BKI, KTF (Khalistan Tiger Force), and others.
While the legal process for deportation from the U.S. may take some time, Indian authorities are optimistic that the case will set a precedent for future cooperation between global law enforcement bodies in counter-terror efforts.
Conclusion
The arrest and upcoming extradition of Happy Pasia marks a critical development in India’s efforts to dismantle ISI-supported terrorist modules operating in Punjab and beyond. With direct involvement in over a dozen attacks and a ₹5 lakh bounty on his head, Pasia’s return to India is expected to unveil a vast web of terror, crime, and foreign interference.
As India prepares for an intensified anti-terror interrogation process, Pasia’s revelations could offer unprecedented leads, particularly on sleeper cells, funding channels, and the foreign hand in destabilizing India’s internal security.
