NEW DELHI: Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Baliyan was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants outside a gym in India’s Uttar Pradesh state, Indian media reported Thursday.
According to reports, Baliyan was leaving a gym in the Kotwali police station area of Shamli district on Wednesday evening when attackers riding two motorcycles opened fire on him multiple times.
Baliyan died at the scene from his injuries, police said.
Authorities sent his body for a post-mortem examination and launched an investigation into the killing. Police are reviewing CCTV footage from the area to identify the attackers and determine the motive behind the shooting.
Political angle being examined
Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister described the killing as an attack on the Jat community, according to Indian media reports.
There has also been speculation that Baliyan was planning to contest upcoming local panchayat elections. However, neither his relatives nor police officials have publicly confirmed the reports.
Baliyan had large YouTube following
Baliyan had more than 366,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, where he was known for his Haryanvi music and videos.
Police have not yet announced any arrests in connection with the killing.

