Shot 18 times, killers flee on bikes: What we know about Haryanavi singer Ankit Balyan’s murder in UP

Ankit Balyan, a Haryanvi singer and YouTuber, was brutally murdered on Wednesday evening outside a gym in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district. The attackers, four armed individuals, shot him at least 18 times, causing five bullet injuries. Balyan, who had just stepped out from the gym around 6:55 PM, was approached by the assailants who forced open his SUV door and fired upon him as he approached.

Despite immediate medical attention at a Community Health Centre, Balyan succumbed to his injuries. The Gogi Gang has claimed responsibility for the murder, citing a potential dispute over a song Balyan had created featuring a similar theme to the killing of Gangster Jitendra Gogi. Shamli police are investigating the viral social media post claiming responsibility and are also probing the possibility that Balyan may have been planning to contest upcoming panchayat elections in the region.