Harpreet Singh behind multiple terror attacks, Says FBI chief
Chandigarh: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed the arrest of Punjab-origin Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, in Sacramento, United States, for his alleged role in multiple terror-related incidents in both India and the US.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that Singh was part of a foreign terrorist gang believed to be responsible for attacks on police stations in both countries. “@FBISacramento conducted the investigation in coordination with our partners locally as well as in India,” Patel posted on X. “Excellent work from all, and justice will be done. The FBI will continue finding those who perpetrate violence — no matter where they are.”
According to Punjab Police, Singh is a key operative of the Pakistan’s ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and a close associate of Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Rinda. He was apprehended following extensive coordination between Indian and US agencies.
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav described the arrest as a “major milestone” in the crackdown on ISI-supported terror networks. He said the arrest was the result of strong intelligence sharing and international cooperation.
“Happy Passia, a native of Passia village in Amritsar, began his criminal activities with gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and later aligned with ISI-supported terrorist Harvinder Rinda,” DGP Yadav stated.
Singh allegedly played a crucial role in running ISI-backed terror modules in Punjab, facilitating targeted killings, grenade attacks on police buildings, and extortion operations between 2023 and 2025. Yadav added that most terror incidents in Punjab after September 2024 have been linked to Singh.
Investigators revealed that Singh operated from the US, recruiting vulnerable drug-addicted youth to execute attacks in return for money and narcotics. The Punjab Police claim they have dismantled all of Singh’s modules and provided a detailed dossier to central agencies and the US authorities, ultimately leading to his arrest.
Steps have now been initiated to seek Singh’s extradition to India to face trial under Indian law.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
