Immigration agents in Sacramento have apprehended Harpreet Singh, one of India's most wanted fugitives.
According to Fox News, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Singh on April 16 in Sacramento, California, where he had been living after illegally entering the United States through Arizona in January 2022.
Singh's arrest has drawn attention to significant security concerns as he is allegedly connected to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a designated foreign terrorist organization. The Indian government has been seeking his capture due to his alleged involvement in planning multiple grenade attacks on police officials and stations in India. His reported ties to senior BKI operative Harwinder Singh Rinda have raised alarm among international security agencies.
The arrest has sparked criticism of the current administration's border policies. After Singh's initial detention by Border Patrol in Arizona, he was released into the U.S. interior despite his alleged terrorist connections.
Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs, expressed strong concerns about the incident:
The Biden Administration not only let a wanted terrorist into our country, but after he was arrested by Border Patrol agents, they released him into the interior of our country. While shocking, it's not surprising given the Biden administration routinely released unvetted terrorists and criminals into American communities.
The case highlights ongoing debates about immigration enforcement and national security protocols at U.S. borders.
Indian intelligence officials have identified Singh as a key figure in transnational terror operations. His alleged activities include providing terrorist funding and recruitment for BKI, an organization formed in the 1970s.
The charges against Singh in India encompass multiple violent crimes. He allegedly orchestrated extortion operations and made threatening demands across various regions in India.
Law enforcement sources indicate that Singh's connection to BKI leader Harwinder Singh Rinda demonstrates the organization's continued ability to operate across international borders.
Singh remains in ICE custody as his immigration case moves forward. The arrest marks a significant victory for both U.S. and Indian law enforcement agencies.
Immigration officials have confirmed that Singh entered the U.S. illegally on January 27, 2022, through Arizona. After his initial arrest by Border Patrol, he was placed in removal proceedings before being released.
Current proceedings will determine whether Singh faces deportation to India, where he would likely face prosecution for his alleged terrorist activities.
Harpreet Singh's arrest in Sacramento represents a major development in international counterterrorism efforts. The operation successfully removed a high-priority fugitive wanted by Indian authorities for planning grenade attacks on police officials and maintaining connections with the terrorist organization Babbar Khalsa International. As Singh remains in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings, his case highlights the critical importance of border security and proper vetting of individuals entering the United States.
