Shamli: In a shocking incident that has rattled Western Uttar Pradesh, popular Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Baliyan was brutally shot dead by unidentified assailants outside a gym in Shamli on Wednesday evening.
The brazen attack took place in the Sadar Kotwali area at approximately 6:45 PM. According to eyewitnesses and police reports, Baliyan was stepping out after his routine workout when three to four heavily armed assailants, who were allegedly lying in wait, launched an ambush.
The attackers fired over 20 rounds in quick succession, leaving the singer critically injured on the road. The sudden gunfire triggered panic in the busy market area. Bystanders rushed a profusely bleeding Baliyan to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Shamli Superintendent of Police (SP) NP Singh confirmed that police teams were immediately deployed after receiving an emergency call. “We are currently examining CCTV footage from the vicinity to trace the escape route of the attackers and identify the vehicle used,” officials stated.
Enraged by the brazen murder, local residents and supporters of the singer briefly blocked a major road near the city’s Verma Market, demanding swift arrest of the culprits.
Ankit Baliyan, a native of Bantikhera in Shamli, was a rising star in the regional entertainment circuit. He gained immense popularity in Haryana and Western UP through hit tracks like ‘Bhari Court Mein Goli Maarenge Meri Jaan’ and collaborations with established artists like Masoom Sharma. His YouTube channel, which featured music videos, local vlogs, and political podcasts reflecting regional pride and rural grit, had amassed millions of views.
Beyond his music, Baliyan was a known figure in local circles and had previously courted controversy. In July 2023, he was booked along with 40 others for conducting an unauthorized roadshow featuring hooters and stunts in Shamli. Sources also indicate that the singer was actively preparing to contest the upcoming District Panchayat elections.
Police are currently investigating multiple angles, including political rivalry, personal enmity, and the possibility that the attackers had been conducting a recce to track his daily gym schedule. The exact motive behind the targeted killing remains unclear as the manhunt for the shooters continues.