Ankit Balyan Murder: 2 Shooters Involved in Haryanvi Singer’s Killing Killed in UP STF Encounter
Two shooters linked to the killing of Haryanvi singer Ankit Balyan were killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Police STF, officials said. The suspects, identified as Sumit and Mohit, were among four alleged shooters. Police are probing six people, including two accused of conducting reconnaissance before the attack.
Two shooters linked to the murder of Haryanvi singer Ankit Balyan were killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force (STF), officials said. The two men, identified as Sumit and Mohit, were among four shooters involved in the killing. According to the ongoing investigation, a total of six people have so far emerged as being involved in the case. While four are believed to have carried out the shooting, two others conducted reconnaissance before the attack.
Ankit Balyan, a popular 35-year-old Haryanvi singer, was shot dead by four assailants outside a gym in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh. He was known for songs including Bhari Court Mein Goli Maarenge Meri Jaan, which had gained popularity in the region. Ankit Balyan Murder: Shamli Police Form 8 Teams, Raid Haryana to Trace Suspects.
2 Shooters Involved in Haryanvi Singer Ankit Balyan Murder Killed
थाना कोतवाली शामली क्षेत्रान्तर्गत पुलिस टीम द्वारा चेकिंग के दौरान 02 संदिग्ध व्यक्तियों को रोकने का प्रयास किया गया, जिस पर दोनों संदिग्धों द्वारा पुलिस टीम पर फायरिंग कर दी गई। पुलिस टीम द्वारा आत्मरक्षार्थ की गई जवाबी कार्रवाई में दोनों अभियुक्त गोली लगने से… pic.twitter.com/hVAZwGSoR6
— Shamli police (@PoliceShamli) August 31, 2026
Two Shooters Killed In Encounter
The UP STF traced the two shooters, Sumit and Mohit, and an encounter subsequently took place. Both suspects were killed in the police action, according to officials. The development comes as police intensify their investigation into Balyan's murder and attempt to identify all those involved in planning and executing the attack.
The police investigation has so far indicated that four shooters were involved in the actual murder, while two other suspects allegedly helped conduct reconnaissance of the singer and the location before the attack. Ankit Balyan Murder Video: CCTV Shows Singer Shot 20 Times in 30 Seconds Outside Shamli Gym.
Two Men Riding Bike Opened Fire: Police
Shamli SP Narendra Pratap Singh said police teams had been conducting intensive checks following the murder of Haryanvi singer Ankit Balyan, with the SWAT team, surveillance unit, SHOs, ASP and COs assigned to the case. He said a blockade plan was implemented from midnight to 6 am to ensure that vehicles entering the district were checked.
According to Singh, at around 4 am, Hijana SHO Virendra Kasana spotted a motorcycle approaching from the Karnal side while conducting checks near his police station. When he tried to stop the motorcycle, the two men riding it allegedly opened fire.
Singh said Kasana narrowly escaped, although a bullet struck his vehicle. He immediately alerted other police teams over the wireless, following which the suspects fled towards Kairana.
When the motorcycle reached the area beneath the Manna Madra bridge, Kotwali SHO Dharmendra Gautam, who was conducting checks there, attempted to stop the suspects. They allegedly opened fire again, shattering the windshield of his vehicle.
The SHO then challenged the suspects, who turned left towards the city. However, by then, an alert had been circulated over the wireless network, prompting the SWAT team, surveillance unit, SHOs, CO City, ASP and CO Kairana to move towards the location. Singh said the suspects subsequently swerved their motorcycle towards the area where the police teams had assembled.
Gogi Gang Claimed Responsibility
Balyan was fatally shot outside a gym in Shamli, where the attackers allegedly opened fire before fleeing the scene. The murder triggered protests and demands for swift action against those responsible.
The Gogi gang later claimed responsibility for the killing. The gang cited Balyan's purported links with its rivals and referred to a song associated with the singer as among the reasons for the attack.
A post from the Instagram account of Bholu Shahpuria, reportedly linked to the gang, read, “This is just the beginning, everyone’s turn will come.” The gang also issued a threat to the Uttar Pradesh Police, warning of more attacks similar to Balyan’s killing.
Police, however, are continuing to investigate the motive and are examining several possible angles, including old rivalries and alleged political or election-related connections.
Eight Police Teams Formed
Following the murder, Meerut Zone ADG Bhanu Bhaskar directed an intensified investigation into the case. The Uttar Pradesh Police had formed eight teams to conduct raids in Haryana and other locations, trace the suspects and recover weapons believed to have been used in the crime.
Investigators are also examining CCTV footage, call records and other evidence to establish the sequence of events leading up to the shooting. While the motive behind Balyan's murder has not been conclusively established, police have been pursuing multiple leads and have stepped up efforts to identify everyone involved in the conspiracy.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 31, 2026 07:38 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
