VHP leader killed: NIA arrests accused deported from UAE

According to the NIA, Harwinder acted as a recruiter and manipulator, arranging weapons and facilitating their supply to the gunmen involved in the Prabhakar killing. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday (October 1, 2026) arrested an accused following his deportation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in connection with the April 2020 targeted killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vikas Prabhakar by banned terrorist organization Babbar Khalsa International (BB24KI) in Punjab’s Rou.

Harwinder Kumar alias Sonu was deported to India after persistent diplomatic efforts. He operated out of the UAE and allegedly provided logistical support and funding to the perpetrators. The NIA arrested him soon after his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.

A red notice was issued against the accused on April 17, 2026. He was handed over to India by UAE authorities at the request of Indian agencies on 19 June.

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The VHP leader was shot dead by terrorists at his sweet shop in Nangal, Roopnagar on April 13, 2024. The agency registered the case on May 9, 2024 and filed three charge sheets so far. On 13 August 2026, it arrested another accused from the United Arab Emirates, Manveer Ram, who was allegedly involved in the supply of weapons used in the crime. He was detained at the Amritsar airport and subsequently arrested.

“The NIA investigation revealed that the conspiracy to eliminate Vikas Prabhakar was allegedly hatched by BKI’s German operatives Harjit Singh alias Laddi and Kulbeer Singh alias Sidhu… Harwinder Kumar alias Sonu, while operating from the UAE, played a key role as a logistics provider and financing agency for BKI.”

According to the NIA, Harwinder acted as a recruiter and manipulator, arranging weapons and facilitating their supply to the gunmen involved in the Prabhakar killing. On the instructions of Harjit Singh and Kulbeer Singh, he also received and transferred the terror funds associated with the alleged conspiracy.

In a charge sheet filed in October 2024, the agency named Pakistan’s BKI chief Wadhaw Singh alias Babbar and five other alleged terrorists.

“Two of the three arrested accused have been identified as shooters Mandeep Kumar alias Mangli and Surinder Kumar alias Rika, both residents of Nawanshahr, Punjab. They have been booked under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the erstwhile Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act. The third arrested accused is also charged by Nawanshahr NIA and Gurpreshahr, NIA.

The NIA alleged that the three fugitives were the handlers of the arrested accused. “Babbar, currently based in Pakistan, along with Harjit Singh alias Laddi of Nawanshahr and Kulbeer Singh alias Sidhu of Yamunanagar, Haryana provided arms, ammunition and funds etc. to carry out the attack,” the agency said.

“Investigation further revealed that Wadhawa Singh of Pakistan ordered German nodes namely Laddi and Sidhu to carry out the killings. The role of a Dubai-based logistics provider and India-based arms suppliers also counted…,” he added.

Published – 01 Oct 2026 16:15 IST