The National Investigation Agency has arrested Harwinder Kumar, a UAE-based operative of the banned group Babbar Khalsa International, for his alleged role in the 2024 killing of VHP leader Vikas Prabhakar. Kumar was deported to India following a coordinated diplomatic effort.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken custody of Harwinder Kumar, also known as Sonu Barnala, following his deportation from the United Arab Emirates. Kumar was apprehended immediately upon his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the targeted killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vikas Prabhakar in Nangal, Punjab.
The murder, which took place in April 2024, prompted an extensive investigation into the cross-border network of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). According to investigators, Kumar served as a key operative for the banned outfit, allegedly functioning as a recruiter, financier, and logistics facilitator for terror activities within India. Agency findings suggest that he played a central role in coordinating weapon deliveries and transferring funds to sustain the group's operations at the direction of overseas handlers.
This arrest is part of a wider effort by Indian agencies to dismantle terror cells with international links. The investigation into the case, which officially began in May 2024, has already resulted in the filing of multiple chargesheets. Kumar’s deportation follows the earlier arrest of another UAE-based suspect, Manveer Ram, in August 2026, who was accused of managing the supply chain for weapons involved in the incident.
As the legal process continues, the NIA aims to uncover further links between foreign-based handlers and domestic operatives. The case remains under active investigation by the Special NIA Court, with authorities looking to secure evidence against the broader conspiracy network.