NIA Announces Rs 5 Lakh Bounty On Gangster Happy Passia In Grenade Attacks Case

NIA has sought an arrest warrant from Chandigarh District Court against US-based gangster Happy Passia, a mastermind of the Chandigarh grenade attack targeting ex-Jalandhar SP.

Chandigarh:The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on “absconding” gangster Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia over his alleged involvement in grenade attacks on a house in Chandigarh and police stations in Punjab.

According to the agency, Passia is a gangster based in the United States and is accused of masterminding grenade attacks.

The NIA has filed an application in the Chandigarh District Court seeking an arrest warrant against Passia in connection with the hand grenade attack on a house in Sector 10, Chandigarh, on September 11 last year. A hearing on the plea is expected on January 9.

A NIA spokesperson said that investigations into the Sector-10 attack revealed that Passia orchestrated the assault while working for Pakistan-based Khalistani operative Harvinder Singh Rinda of Babbar Khalsa International, which has been declared a terrorist organisation by the MHA.

The grenade attack, which targeted former Jalandhar SP Jaskirat Singh Chahal and his family, was carried out by two individuals, Rohan and Vishal Masih, who fled the scene after hurling the grenade. Passia later claimed responsibility for the attack on social media.

The agency has shared contact numbers for the public to provide information about Passia via telephone, WhatsApp, or email.

Arms Smuggling and Extortion

Passia, a well-known Khalistan supporter, is implicated in cases like arms smuggling and extortion. Punjab Police has previously arrested several of his gang members.

Rise in Khalistani Activities

Passia's activities intensified after the arrest of Arshdeep Singh Gill, alias Arsh Dalla, in Canada, who is believed to be a key Khalistani Tiger Force member running the organisation of Khalistani Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar was killed during a shootout in Surrey, Canada, on October 28 last year. However, Gill was granted bail in Canada.

Following Dalla’s arrest, Passia and Gopi Nawanshahri have taken charge of expanding Khalistani operations in Punjab. Passia, reportedly residing in the U.S., continues to work closely with Nawanshahri to fund and plan terrorist activities.