Ankit Baliyan murder: Two prime accused shot dead in UP Police encounter — what we know so far
Ankit Baliyan Murder: Two Accused Killed in UP Encounter
Theindiapostdaily.com – Two principal suspects in the Ankit Baliyan murder case were shot dead by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force and regular police in a nighttime operation near Shamli district. The encounter represents the first concrete breakthrough in a case that had left the slain singer-actor's family and local residents without answers for days.
Baliyan, a Haryanvi performer with numerous music videos on YouTube, was gunned down the previous Wednesday as he left a fitness gym in Shamli around 6:55 p.m. Four unidentified men arriving in two vehicles opened fire; despite being rushed to the nearest Community Health Centre, doctors could not revive him.
How the Attack Unfolded
ADG Meerut Bhanu Bhaskar laid out the timeline for reporters: the victim had been working out at a local fitness centre when the shooting occurred. "The victim was a singer named Ankit Baliyan… He was a well-known singer with many videos on YouTube. He had been working out at a fitness gym. As he stepped out around 6:55 PM, four unidentified individuals arrived in two vehicles and opened fire. He sustained gunshot injuries. Although police personnel were present and immediately rushed him to the Community Health Centre (CHC), the doctors were unable to save him."
Shamli SP NP Singh said a Dial 112 call reported that a man from Banti Khera had been shot by three or four men the instant he exited the gym. The body was moved to the district mortuary, and investigation teams were deployed within minutes.
The Gogi Gang Angle and Family's Plea
Hours after the killing, a viral social-media post allegedly tied to the Gogi gang claimed responsibility, drawing a parallel between Baliyan's song and the earlier shooting death of gangster Jitendra Gogi inside Rohini Court. On August 27, SP Singh told reporters that investigators were tracing whether an older dispute involving the Gogi gang could be linked to the assassination. The encounter killings now give police concrete leads to test that theory.
For days after the shooting, relatives said they received virtually no information about who fired or why. A family member told reporters: "The police have assured that action would be taken as soon as possible. We didn't really know the details ourselves. We weren't even at home. To this day, we still don't know who they were or how it happened; we are completely in the dark."
With five days passing without a single arrest, Baliyan's wife turned publicly to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, asking him to visit West Uttar Pradesh and press for accountability. She cited his visibility among young voters and his earlier role in forcing a ministerial resignation over the education issue. "Police are working hard, but there is no ground-level result. Five days have passed, and no arrests have been made so far. This makes us feel that no action is being taken."
She added an emotional plea tied to the timing of the shooting, which fell just before the Hindu festival of Rakshabandhan: "Understand the helplessness of those parents who have lost their young son. Sisters lost their brother a day before Rakshabandhan. You also have a sister; you are also someone's brother. Understand our pain and raise this issue." Baliyan's elder sister made a parallel appeal, asking Gandhi to intervene directly in the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the encounter take place? The two prime accused were shot by UP STF and state police near Shamli district in Uttar Pradesh during a nighttime operation.
When did the original shooting occur? Ankit Baliyan was killed the Wednesday preceding the encounter, around 6:55 p.m., as he exited a fitness gym in Shamli.
What is the suspected motive? Police are examining a viral post linked to the Gogi gang that drew a parallel to the earlier Rohini Court shooting of Jitendra Gogi. Investigators have not confirmed a motive publicly.
How many suspects were killed in the encounter? Two prime accused were shot dead. No other arrests or casualties were reported in the operation.