Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Haryanvi Singer Ankit Balyan Shot Dead Outside Shamli Gym
Ankit Balyan was a singer and YouTuber who made Haryanvi music.
He was shot outside a gym in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh.
The shooting happened on Wednesday evening after he finished exercising.
Police said unknown attackers fired at him, and he died at the scene.
Reports disagreed about whether there were two attackers or three to four.
Police had not confirmed why he was killed.
They were examining possible links to an old rivalry and local elections.
A group called the Gogi gang reportedly claimed responsibility online, but police were checking whether the claim was genuine.
Akhilesh Yadav said the killing should also be investigated for possible political and caste-related reasons.
Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Balyan was shot dead outside a gym in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday evening.
Police said unidentified assailants opened fire after Balyan left the gym, and he died at the scene.
One report said two attackers fired several rounds, while another reported three to four assailants firing about 20 rounds.
Police were investigating possible motives including an old rivalry and a connection to upcoming Panchayat elections.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav alleged a law-and-order collapse and called for investigation of political and Jat-community angles.
- Who
- Ankit Balyan, a Haryanvi singer and YouTuber, was killed; unidentified assailants were reported to have carried out the shooting.
- What
- Balyan was shot multiple times outside a gym and died at the scene.
- When
- Wednesday evening; the live news update was dated August 27, 2026.
- Where
- Near a gym in the Kotwali police station area of Shamli district, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- The motive was not established. Police were examining possible rivalry and election-related links, while Akhilesh Yadav raised political and Jat-community angles.
Police and reported investigation
Political and gang-related claims
Number of attackers
Police and reported investigation
Police said two unidentified assailants opened fire, while another report described three to four attackers.
Political and gang-related claims
The differing account could not be resolved by the reports, and the attackers had not been identified.
Motive
Police and reported investigation
Police had not established a motive and were examining possible old-rivalry and Panchayat-election connections.
Political and gang-related claims
A reported Gogi gang post alleged that Balyan had links with the gang's rivals and had made a related song; police were checking the claim.
Political and caste angle
Police and reported investigation
The police accounts in the reports did not confirm a political or caste motive.
Political and gang-related claims
Akhilesh Yadav called for an inquiry into possible political rivalry and described the killing as an attack on the Jat community.
- Victim
- Ankit Balyan, a 35-year-old Haryanvi singer and YouTuber
- Location
- Outside a gym in Shamli district, Uttar Pradesh
- Reported attack
- Balyan was attacked near his car, about 20–25 metres from the gym, after his workout
- Attackers
- Reports differed: police cited two unidentified assailants, while another report said three to four men
- Police investigation
- Possible angles included an old rivalry and a connection with upcoming Panchayat elections
- Gang claim
- The Gogi gang reportedly claimed responsibility in an Instagram post; police were verifying the account and names mentioned
- Public response
- Family members and Muzaffarnagar residents blocked the Delhi-Muzaffarnagar Road and sought the immediate arrest of the attackers
