LUCKNOW Haryanvi singer and YouTuber, Ankit Balyan, 32, was shot dead outside a gym in UP’s Shamli on Wednesday evening, allegedly by four armed assailants who fired around 18 rounds at him, said police.
The incident took place around 7pm near the Aryapuri drain embankment. Heavy police force was deployed as protesters demanded immediate arrests and action against those responsible. Police and forensic teams reached the spot and recovered empty cartridges. CCTV footage from the area was being examined to identify the assailants. Police teams had been sent to possible hideouts in Haryana, including Panipat, and Punjab. Cops suspected the attackers could be from Haryana.
The killing triggered protests, with Balyan’s family and supporters blocking the Delhi-Muzaffarnagar road near Verma Market Tiraha, around 50 metres from the crime scene.
Police said Balyan suffered five bullet injuries and was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Eyewitnesses told police that the attackers were waiting outside the gym and opened fire as Balyan came out and approached his SUV. They allegedly forced open the vehicle’s door and fired at him before fleeing on motorcycles without registration plates, said police.
