Harwinder Kumar, alias Sonu Barnala, was deported from the United Arab Emirates and taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the 2024 killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Vikas Prabhakar in Punjab, officials said on Thursday. Kumar is accused of being linked to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and allegedly providing logistical support and financing to those involved in the murder. The Ministry of Home Affairs described the deportation as a major breakthrough for Indian agencies investigating the case.
Prabhakar was shot dead on April 13, 2024, at his confectionery shop in Nangal in Punjab's Roopnagar district. According to the NIA, the killing was carried out by operatives of a BKI module. Pakistan-based BKI chief Wadhawa Singh, also known as Babbar, has been named as the primary accused in the case. The MHA said the killing was allegedly part of an attempt by the organisation to create communal unrest and was carried out at the behest of its Pakistan-based chief.
The NIA said Kumar had been operating from the UAE and allegedly played a key role as a logistics provider and financier for BKI operatives based abroad. According to the agency, the conspiracy to eliminate Prabhakar was allegedly planned by Germany-based BKI operatives Harjit Singh, alias Laddi, and Kulbeer Singh, alias Sidhu. The agency said Kumar provided support to the operatives involved in the conspiracy and helped facilitate the preparations for the attack.
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The NIA further alleged that Kumar acted as a recruiter and handler in the operation. It said he arranged weapons and facilitated their delivery to the shooters involved in Prabhakar's killing. An Interpol Red Notice was issued against Kumar on April 17 this year, after which Indian agencies requested the UAE to deport him to India. The NIA said he was deported on Thursday following diplomatic efforts by Indian authorities.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said the deportation was secured as part of the government's anti-terrorism strategy, referred to as “Prahaar”, under which efforts have been made to expedite the deportation of suspected terrorists to India. The ministry said Indian agencies had achieved a major breakthrough in bringing Kumar back from the UAE in connection with the Prabhakar murder case. The NIA is now expected to investigate Kumar's alleged role and links with the wider BKI network involved in the case.
The arrest and deportation add a new development to the investigation into Prabhakar's killing, which has been linked by investigators to an alleged international BKI network. Kumar's alleged role, including the provision of financing, logistics, weapons and recruitment support, will now form part of the proceedings following his return to India. The NIA's allegations against Kumar remain subject to the ongoing investigation and legal process.
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