New Delhi, 1st October 2026: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Harwinder Kumar @ Sonu, son of Chaman Lal, in connection with the targeted killing of local Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Sh. Vikas Prabhakar. The accused, who was based in the UAE, was involved in providing logistical support and financing to the perpetrators and had been wanted by the NIA.
Harwinder Kumar was deported from the UAE to India on 1st October 2026 after vigorous diplomatic efforts. Following his arrival in India, he was arrested by the NIA at Indira Gandhi International Airport. He is produced before the Special NIA Court for further legal proceedings.
The case, registered as RC-06/2024/NIA/DLI, pertains to the targeted killing of Sh. Vikas Prabhakar by members of the proscribed terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). NIA had registered the case on 9th May 2024, and has so far filed three chargesheets in the matter.
The present arrest follows the arrest of another UAE-based accused, Manveer Ram, on 13th August 2026. Manveer Ram, who was allegedly involved in supplying weapons used in the crime, was intercepted at Amritsar Airport and subsequently arrested by the NIA.
NIA investigation has revealed that the conspiracy to eliminate Vikas Prabhakar was allegedly hatched by Germany-based BKI operatives Harjit Singh @ Laddi and Kulbeer Singh @ Sidhu.
Investigation has further established that Harwinder Kumar @ Sonu (A-7), while operating from the UAE, played a crucial role as a logistics provider and financer for the BKI operatives based abroad.
He acted as a recruiter and handler, arranged weapons and facilitated their delivery to the shooters involved in the killing of Sh. Vikas Prabhakar. He also received and transferred terror funds in connection with the conspiracy, acting on the directions of Harjit Singh and Kulbeer Singh.
The deportation of Harwinder Kumar @ Sonu from the UAE and his subsequent arrest by the NIA demonstrate the Agency’s resolve to pursue fugitives involved in terrorism cases and bring them back to India to face the due process of law. The development is also the result of coordinated efforts of the various agencies involved in facilitating the return of fugitives to India.
Further investigation in the case is continuing.
