LUCKNOW: The first photos of the suspected killers of Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Balyan, 32, have surfaced after he was shot dead outside a gym in Shamli on Wednesday evening.Police said the attackers had allegedly carried out reconnaissance of the area before targeting Balyan.Balyan, a resident of Bantikheda village in Shamli, had more than 3.66 lakh YouTube subscribers. He was known for his Haryanvi songs and stage performances.The incident took place around 7pm near Aryapuri Nala Patri in Shamli’s City Kotwali area. According to police, four men arrived on two motorcycles and waited outside the gym for Balyan.After his workout, Balyan walked towards his Scorpio SUV. With a wall blocking access to the driver’s side, he moved towards the co-driver’s door. The attackers allegedly opened fire at close range after opening the door.Balyan sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his head and abdomen. Three bullets also struck the SUV’s front windscreen. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.The attackers fled the scene before police reached the spot. Additional Director General of Police, Meerut Zone, Bhanu Bhaskar, visited Shamli along with senior officers to review the investigation.Police are probing the motive behind the killing and are also investigating a possible connection to Haryana.The murder triggered protests by Balyan’s family, supporters and villagers, who blocked the Delhi-Muzaffarnagar Road near the crime scene and demanded the immediate arrest of the suspects.
