Key Details of the Incident
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Victim: Ankit Balyan, a popular Haryanvi singer, actor, and YouTuber with over 3.66 lakh subscribers.
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Location: Outside a gym under the Kotwali police station area in Shamli district, Uttar Pradesh.
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Crime Execution: As Balyan stepped out of the gym toward his vehicle on Wednesday evening, unidentified assailants on motorcycles ambushed him and fired 18 to 20 rounds. He died instantly at the scene.
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Under Investigation: Police have deployed multiple teams, gathered technical evidence, and are reviewing local CCTV footage to track the attackers. Investigators are probing potential angles, including a gang-related connection—where a viral social media post linked to the Gogi gang claimed responsibility over an old rivalry—as well as rumors regarding his intention to run in upcoming local panchayat elections.
Political & Community Reaction
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Samajwadi Party Criticism: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the murder, asserting that law and order in UP had reached “zero”. He called for an investigation into political rivalry angles.
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Local Protests: Calling the incident an attack on the Jat community, family members and supporters staged protests, blocking the Delhi-Muzaffarnagar road while demanding immediate arrests before proceeding with the last rites.
