India's NIA arrests UAE-deported suspect linked to VHP leader killing

The National Investigation Agency took into custody Harwinder Kumar, also known as Sonu Barnala, after the United Arab Emirates deported him to India on October 1. The agency alleges that Barnala supplied logistical support and financing to the operatives of Babbar Khalsa International who assassinated VHP leader Vikas Prabhakar, a plot allegedly directed by Pakistan-based commander Wadhawa Singh. A Red Corner Notice had been issued against Barnala in April, and his transfer was framed as a success of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ PRAHAAR programme to expedite the return of terror suspects.

He was arrested at Indira Gandhi International Airport and will be presented before a special NIA court for further proceedings. Earlier, another UAE-based suspect, Manveer Ram, was also detained in India for allegedly supplying weapons used in the killing. The investigation points to Germany-based BKI operatives Harjit Singh (Laddi) and Kulbeer Singh (Sidhu) as the masterminds.