Latest news with #HappyPassia
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Top recruiter linked to Happy Passia module nabbed, 3rd arrest in IED case
Two days after two gangsters linked to terrorists Happy Passia were nabbed with 2 kg improvised explosive device (IED) from Sector-39, Chandigarh, the crime branch made a third arrest in the case. The accused has been identified as Harwant Singh alias Harry, a key member of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) module, and a top recruiter and logistics handler in the network. Harry, a resident of Hardo Putli village in Amritsar, was nabbed from Daria, Chandigarh, on Sunday. He was arrested based on disclosures made by two of his recruits, Joban Jit Singh alias Billa and Sumandeep alias Simma, who were arrested earlier this week with a high-intensity IED, two pistols, and nine live cartridges. The IED, suspected to contain RDX, was potent enough to destroy a large commercial hub, said police. The explosive was disposed of by the bomb squad team on Saturday. According to police, the module was awaiting instructions from handlers based abroad and had been moved into the city from border areas in Punjab, possibly due to heightened security presence near the international border. The interrogation of Billa and Simma revealed that both had been recruited into the module by Harry, who was in direct communication with Malaysia-based Maninder Singh— an intermediary linking operatives in India with foreign-based handlers like Happy Passia and Manu Agwan. The module used encrypted platforms such as WhatsApp and Snapchat to avoid detection. Weapons, explosives, and cash were delivered through 'dead drops,' where precise GPS coordinates were shared with operatives to collect the material without direct human contact. Harru was allegedly supposed to receive another consignment of arms in Punjab on the instructions of Manu Agwan, but it was intercepted by Punjab Police. He is also believed to have participated in firing incidents in Punjab and helped fund terror operations with financial support from Happy Passia, Manu Agwan, and Gopi Nawasaria. All of them are reportedly working in coordination with Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Time of India
Chandigarh police nabs BKI member linked to Passia network
1 2 3 Chandigarh: The Chandigarh crime branch has apprehended a key member of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a terrorist group. BKI member Harwant Singh alias Harry, a resident of Hardo Putali village, Tehsil Ajnala, Amritsar, was apprehended from Daria, Chandigarh. The arrest was facilitated by inputs provided by gangster Jobanjit Singh alias Billa, a close aide of terrorist Happy Passia, who is already in police per the police, Singh resisted his arrest but was compelled to surrender following a firm and strategic response by the police team. One pistol along with three live cartridges was recovered from his possession. According to police, Harwant is a known associate of the Happy Passia–Harvinder Rinda (Pakistan-based terrorist) network. He allegedly engaged in anti-national activities, including facilitating arms and ammunition for violent operations in Punjab. Harwant worked on the instructions of gangsters Manu Agwan and Happy Passia and received financial support from them as well as Gopi Nawasaria. He also played a recruiting role, inducting individuals like Sumandeep Singh and Jobanjit Singh into the terror network, the police was supposed to receive a weapons' consignment in Punjab, but the delivery was intercepted by Punjab Police before it reached him. One pistol and three live cartridges were recovered from him. Harwant Singh has a criminal record with several FIRs registered against him in Punjab.
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Explosive seized from Happy Passia's aides disposed
Two days after Chandigarh Police foiled a major terror plot by arresting two operatives of the Happy Passia terror module and seizing a 2 kg Improvised Explosive Device (IED) from Sector 39, the explosive was safely neutralised by a specialised bomb disposal unit from Chandimandir on Saturday. The operation, carried out by the Western Command, was conducted under strict safety protocols in a controlled environment outside city limits. The IED, suspected to contain RDX, was recovered during the arrest of Joban Jit Singh, alias Billa, and Sumandeep, alias Simma—two men with direct links to gangster-turned-terrorist Happy Passia. While the intended target remains unknown, police officials say the explosive was powerful enough to cause large-scale destruction. Following the arrest, Chandigarh Police secured the explosive at a safe location, and the army's bomb disposal squad was called in for expert handling. The remains of the explosive were secured and taken by Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) for testing. The army team deployed at the site of the IED disposal stated that the device posed a significant threat and could not be secured for long, adding that immediate orders were issued for its disposal as retaining it on site was deemed highly risky.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Time of India
Chandimandir bomb squad defuses powerful IED seized from Passia's aides
1 2 3 Chandigarh: A powerful explosive device, seized from gangsters linked to notorious Happy Passia terror module , was successfully defused by the Indian Army's bomb disposal unit from Chandimandir, authorities confirmed on 2 kg improvised explosive device (IED), which was recovered earlier this week by Chandigarh Police from Sector 39 during the arrest of two suspects, was safely dismantled in a controlled detonation carried out beyond city limits. The operation, led by the Western Command, followed stringent safety protocols to minimise any potential risk to public suspects, identified as Joban Jit Singh alias Billa and Sumandeep alias Simma, were allegedly operating under the direction of gangster-turned-terrorist Happy Passia. Initial investigations suggest the IED may have contained RDX and had the potential to inflict severe damage, although the exact target of the planned attack remains the arrests, local police secured the explosive at a restricted location while awaiting support from military specialists. The bomb squad later determined that storing the device posed too great a risk, prompting an urgent call for immediate remnants of the device were handed over to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) for detailed analysis. Authorities continue to investigate the broader network behind the plot and have heightened surveillance across the region in response to the incident. MSID:: 121061948 413 |
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Time of India
Security beefed up at police stations after gangsters arrested with RDX, pistols
1 2 3 Chandigarh: Following the arrest of two gangsters with RDX and pistols late on Thursday night, security at the city's police stations was beefed up on Friday. The gangsters — identified as Jobanjeet Singh alias Billa (24), a resident of Amritsar, and Sumandeep Singh alias Simma (25), a resident of Gurdaspur, Punjab — were planning to carry out a major attack in Chandigarh, targeting some police crime branch of UT police arrested the duo with RDX, a remote control, two pistols, and live cartridges from near Paddy Market in Sector 39. On Friday, the police presented the accused in the district court and obtained a four-day police remand for further (Intelligence) Manjit Sheoran said these two accused are aides of gangster Happy Passia. They were planning a major crime in Chandigarh, although they have not disclosed the exact location to the police. The police are currently interrogating them. Jobanjeet Singh previously committed major crimes in Punjab and was wanted in multiple criminal cases. Happy Passia and his associates provided him with weapons, cash, and other support. The investigation revealed that Jobanjeet recently came in contact with a person, Harvinder Singh alias Harry, through Happy Passia and Manu Agwan. About a month ago, Happy Passia sent Rs 50,000 to Jobanjeet. Passia resided in the USA for several years and was arrested by agencies last accused Jobanjeet also received assistance from a person named Maninder Singh alias Billa, who resides in Malaysia. The police are trying to gather more information about investigation revealed that last month, there was an attempt to attack Gurdaspur's Qila Lal Singh police station with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG). This attack was orchestrated by Happy Passia and executed by Jobanjeet. An FIR was registered against him, and he was wanted in this case. Additionally, Jobanjeet's name also surfaced in the firing incidents at Vishal Jewelers and a liquor contractor in Amritsar. The police discovered that Jobanjeet was chosen for the RPG attack because he was the only one knowledgeable about it. He acquired information about RPG attacks from internet media. MSID:: 121033660 413 |
