Pakistan-based BKI chief chargesheeted by NIA for Punjab leader’s murder

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) chief Wadhawa Singh, also known as Babbar, along with five other terrorists, in connection with the murder of Vikas Prabhakar, alias Vikas Bagga, a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader in Punjab.

Bagga was shot dead by terrorists linked to a BKI module at his confectionery shop in Nangal, Ropar, Punjab, on April 13, 2024. The NIA filed the chargesheet on October 11, naming Babbar and two other absconding accused, along with three arrested individuals, as the key conspirators behind the killing.

Two of the arrested individuals, identified as shooters Mandeep Kumar, alias Mangli, and Surinder Kumar, alias Rika, are residents of Nawanshahar, Punjab. They have been charged under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Arms Act. The third arrested accused, Gurpreet Ram, alias Gora, also from Nawanshahar, has been charged under the Arms Act.

The absconding accused, who acted as handlers, are Babbar, currently based in Pakistan, Harjit Singh, alias Laddi, from Nawanshahar, and Kulbeer Singh, alias Sidhu, from Yamunanagar, Haryana. These individuals provided arms, ammunition and funds to facilitate the attack. The NIA took over the case from the state police on May 9, uncovering a transnational conspiracy orchestrated by BKI. The investigation revealed that several members of the BKI module, based in various countries, collaborated to execute the targeted killing.

Probes have revealed that Wadhawa directed Germany-based handlers to carry out the assassination.