Lucknow/Shamli, August 31 (TNA) Two alleged sharp shooters wanted in connection with the murder of Haryanvi singer Ankit Baliyan were killed during an exchange of fire with police in Shamli on Monday, officials said. The deceased suspects, identified as Mohit and Sumit, were carrying a reward of ₹50,000 each.
The operation was conducted by a joint team of Shamli Kotwali police, Jhinjhana police and the Shamli SWAT team under the leadership of Superintendent of Police N.P. Singh. Additional Superintendent of Police Sumit Shukla and Circle Officer Jitendra Singh were also part of the operation. Police said the suspects opened fire during the operation, following which personnel retaliated in self-defence.
Both suspects sustained bullet injuries and were taken to the District Joint Hospital in Shamli, where doctors declared them dead during treatment. Two SWAT team personnel, Head Constables Harvinder and Pradeep, were also injured in the firing and are undergoing treatment at the same hospital.
Murder Investigation
Ankit Baliyan, a Haryanvi singer and YouTuber from Bantikheda village in Shamli, was shot dead on August 26 while leaving a fitness gym in the Nalapatri area of Shamli Kotwali police station limits. Police said four armed assailants opened fire on him as he was placing a bag in his vehicle, after which they fled in different directions.
A case was registered on the complaint of the victim’s father, Satvir Singh, under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against four unidentified accused. Following the killing, a special investigation involving Shamli police, the Uttar Pradesh STF and officers from the Meerut zone was formed to identify and arrest those involved.
Investigators used CCTV footage, digital intelligence, human intelligence, movement details, accommodation records, payment trails and communication links to identify Mohit and Sumit as alleged sharp shooters in the case. Police said the probe has indicated a planned criminal conspiracy involving reconnaissance, the arrangement of weapons, mobilisation of shooters and an escape plan.
Alleged Gogi Gang Link
Police are investigating a social-media post in which the Gogi gang allegedly claimed responsibility for the killing. Investigators are also examining the possible connection between the murder and one of Baliyan’s songs, “Bhari Court Mein Goli Marenge Meri Jaan,” which reportedly received around 5.4 crore views on YouTube.
According to the police briefing, Baliyan had allegedly received threats in 2022–23 over the song. He had reportedly told the gang that he had only acted in the song and that neither its lyrics nor tune belonged to him. Police suspect that the song was linked by the gang to the killing of gangster Jitendra Mann alias Gogi at Delhi’s Rohini court.
Recoveries and Criminal Record
Police said they recovered three pistols, 26 live cartridges, 15 empty cartridges, a motorcycle, a bag, a mobile phone and ₹5,000 in cash from the suspects. Mohit was reportedly linked to around 14 criminal cases in Haryana, while one case has so far been found registered against Sumit; their complete criminal records are being verified.
Teams remain active to arrest the other alleged shooters, their facilitators and anyone else involved in the conspiracy. The Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police, Rajeev Krishna, announced a reward of ₹2 lakh for the police team and said strict legal action would continue against those involved in organised criminal conspiracies.