Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankiit Balyann was shot dead outside a gym in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli on Wednesday evening after a group of armed assailants allegedly opened fire on him. Police said the attackers fired around 18 rounds during the assault, leaving the singer critically injured.
The killing has caused shock among Balyann’s family, followers and supporters, particularly because he had posted an Instagram reel only hours before the attack. In the video, Balyann was seen sitting inside a car and singing lines from a song referring to murder and violence.
According to police, the attack took place at around 7 pm near the Aryapuri drain embankment. Balyann had reportedly finished his gym session and was approaching his SUV when the assailants, who were allegedly waiting nearby, launched the attack.
The attackers reportedly forced open the door of his vehicle and fired at him before escaping on motorcycles. Police said the motorcycles did not have registration plates, making the identification of the attackers more difficult.
Final Instagram Reel Draws Attention
The singer’s final social media post has become a major talking point following his death. Roughly an hour before the shooting, Balyann uploaded a video in which he sang a couple of lines from a Haryanvi song centred on murder and violence.
In the video, he also appealed to his followers to share the lines, adding a message dedicated to his supporters and invoking phrases associated with patriotism and devotion.
While the timing of the post has attracted considerable attention, investigators have not indicated that the video was connected to the attack. Police are examining all possible circumstances surrounding the murder and are yet to establish a confirmed motive.
The incident has also renewed discussion around the violent imagery often associated with some Haryanvi music and social-media content. Balyann had built a significant following through songs and videos, several of which reportedly featured themes involving weapons and gun culture.
Attack Outside Gym
Police said eyewitnesses reported that the assailants were positioned outside the gym and waited for Balyann to emerge. As he approached his SUV, they allegedly moved towards him and opened fire.
Around 18 rounds were reportedly fired during the attack. Police said Balyann sustained five bullet injuries and was taken to a hospital for emergency treatment. Doctors later declared him dead.
The attackers fled the scene on motorcycles immediately after the shooting. Their use of motorcycles without registration plates is among the details being examined as investigators work to determine their identities and movements before and after the crime.
Police and forensic teams subsequently reached the location. Empty cartridges were recovered from the scene and are expected to form part of the forensic investigation.
Police Launch Probe Into Murder
Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the surrounding area to identify the attackers and reconstruct the sequence of events.
Several police teams have reportedly been formed to investigate the case and determine the motive behind the killing. Teams were also sent to possible locations in Haryana and Punjab as investigators explored the possibility that the suspects could have links to Haryana.
Officials are examining multiple angles rather than immediately attributing the murder to a particular dispute or rivalry. Investigators are expected to establish Balyann’s recent movements, contacts, professional activities and any disputes that could provide clues about the motive.
The recovery of cartridges from the crime scene and CCTV footage from nearby locations are likely to be important components of the investigation.
Protests After Singer’s Death
The killing led to protests by Balyann’s family members and supporters. Demonstrators blocked the Delhi-Muzaffarnagar road near Verma Market Tiraha, located roughly 50 metres from the reported shooting site.
The road blockade prompted a heavy police presence in the area as protesters demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the killing.
The demonstration reflected growing anger among Balyann’s supporters, who called for swift police action and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Authorities are now under pressure to identify and arrest the assailants while establishing the motive behind the attack.
Who Was Ankiit Balyann?
Balyann, a resident of Bantikheda village, had established a strong presence in the Haryanvi music and social-media space. He had more than 440,000 followers on Instagram and over 367,000 subscribers on YouTube, making him a recognisable digital personality among audiences following regional music and entertainment.
His popularity had been built through Haryanvi songs and online videos. Some of his work was associated with themes of weapons and gun culture, which became part of his public image.
His growing social-media presence had also brought him into the public spotlight beyond music. In 2023, he faced an FIR following allegations that a roadshow in Shamli had been organised without the required permission.
However, police have not publicly established a connection between that earlier case and his killing.
Investigation Focuses on Motive and Assailants
The central questions for investigators are who ordered or carried out the attack, why Balyann was targeted and whether the attackers had been monitoring his movements before the shooting.
The fact that the suspects allegedly waited outside the gym suggests that they may have had information about his routine, although investigators have not publicly confirmed whether the attack was pre-planned.
Police are examining CCTV footage, physical evidence recovered from the crime scene and information about the movements of the victim and suspects. Teams operating in Haryana and Punjab are also expected to pursue leads that could help identify the attackers.
For now, the motive remains under investigation. Authorities have said that all possible angles are being examined.
Balyann’s death has left his followers and the regional music community shocked, while the circumstances of his final social-media post have added another layer of public interest to an already high-profile murder investigation. The focus now remains on identifying the assailants, determining the motive and bringing those responsible for the shooting to justice.