Shamli, Aug. 31 -- Two suspected sharpshooters carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 each in the murder of Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Balyan were killed in a police encounter in Shamli on Monday, as Uttar Pradesh Police said the probe had uncovered a pre-planned conspiracy involving a network linked to the Gogi gang.
The accused, Mohit (22) and Sumit (24), both from Sonipat in Haryana, were killed in retaliatory firing after police intercepted a car near an Indian Gas warehouse on Kairana Road, officials said.
Shamli Superintendent of Police Narendra Pratap Singh said the occupants allegedly tried to flee and opened fire at the police team, triggering an exchange of gunfire. The two suspects sustained bullet injuries and were taken to the District Joint Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
Two SWAT personnel, Head Constables Harvinder and Pradeep, were also injured in the exchange. Police said three pistols and 26 cartridges were recovered from the suspects. Mohit had around 14 criminal cases registered against him in Haryana, while Sumit had one case.
Balyan was shot dead on August 26 after leaving a gym in Shamli's Kotwali area. Police said four assailants riding two motorcycles opened fire on him as he walked towards his car. He suffered five gunshot injuries, including two to the head.
Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajeev Krishna said the investigation indicated that the killing was carefully planned, with the attackers tracking Balyan's movements, obtaining weapons from outside and arranging their escape. The shooters allegedly changed their hideouts repeatedly after the murder.
He said the probe had pointed towards a network associated with the Gogi gang.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.