Haryanvi singer Ankit Baliyan shot dead in Shamli; father demands justice
Synopsis
Haryanvi artist Ankit Baliyan, whose YouTube channel had reportedly amassed hundreds of millions of views, was gunned down outside a Shamli gym by four assailants who fired 20 rounds in under two minutes. His father has vowed to protest until the killers are caught — and police are yet to make an arrest.
Key Takeaways
Ankit Baliyan , a popular Haryanvi artist, was shot dead outside a gym in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh , on 26 August .
Four unidentified assailants reportedly fired 20 rounds over approximately two minutes ; around 8 bullets struck Baliyan.
His father, Satbir Singh , has demanded the arrest of those responsible and vowed to continue protests.
Police have launched an investigation, including review of CCTV footage ; no arrests reported yet.
Baliyan's YouTube channel had reportedly accumulated hundreds of millions of views ; his music career gained momentum around 2023 .
Haryanvi artist Ankit Baliyan was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside a gym in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, on 26 August, triggering grief and outrage across the region. His father, Satbir Singh, has since demanded justice, vowing to continue protests until the perpetrators are brought to account.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to reports, four unidentified assailants opened fire on Baliyan as he stepped out of the gym in Shamli on the evening of 26 August. The attackers reportedly fired 20 rounds over approximately two minutes. Around 8 bullets struck Baliyan, while 5 bullets hit his car. He was critically injured and rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.
Enraged residents subsequently blocked a road near Verma Market in the city in protest against the brazen attack.
Father's Demand for Justice
Speaking to the media, Satbir Singh said: 'I want the man who killed him. I don't want anything else. The protest will continue.' He maintained that his son had no enmity with anyone, and called on authorities to swiftly arrest those responsible.
Police Investigation Under Way
Police have launched a formal investigation into the killing, including examination of CCTV footage from the area. Baliyan's family has formally sought the arrest of the accused. No arrests had been reported at the time of writing, and the motive behind the attack remains under investigation.
Who Was Ankit Baliyan
Baliyan was a rising name in the Haryanvi entertainment industry, known for hyper-local pop music videos, swagger-driven performances, and podcasts. His professional music journey gained momentum around 2023, and he became particularly recognised for tracks such as Ek Khtola Jail Ke Bhitar, Savidhan, 112 NE, and Haridwar Haryane Ka. His YouTube channel reportedly accumulated hundreds of millions of views, reflecting the surging popularity of the contemporary Haryanvi sound that blends regional identity, energetic performances, and modern production. His content prominently featured themes of regional pride, rural grit, and high-energy local cultural tropes.
The killing has drawn sharp attention to the safety of artists in the region. Investigators are expected to examine whether the attack was targeted or connected to any broader dispute. The family's protest is set to continue until arrests are made.
Point of View
Regional identity, and street-level power dynamics often intersect dangerously. That four assailants could fire 20 rounds in a public area for two full minutes and escape unimpeded raises serious questions about law enforcement presence and response times in Shamli. Baliyan's music, which leaned into gun-culture and local-politics imagery, has already drawn speculation about motive — but investigators must be careful not to let a performer's artistic persona substitute for actual evidence. The family's protest, if sustained, will test whether the Uttar Pradesh administration can move from CCTV review to credible arrests before public anger escalates further.
NationPress
27 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ankit Baliyan?
Ankit Baliyan was a rising Haryanvi music artist whose career gained momentum around 2023. He was known for songs such as Ek Khtola Jail Ke Bhitar, Savidhan, 112 NE, and Haridwar Haryane Ka, and his YouTube channel had reportedly accumulated hundreds of millions of views.
How was Ankit Baliyan killed?
Four unidentified assailants opened fire on Baliyan as he exited a gym in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, on 26 August. They reportedly fired 20 rounds over about two minutes; around 8 bullets struck him. He was pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital.
What has Ankit Baliyan's family demanded?
His father, Satbir Singh, has demanded that the perpetrators be arrested and brought to justice. He stated he would not stop protesting until those responsible are caught, and maintained that his son had no known enemies.
Has anyone been arrested in connection with the Shamli shooting?
No arrests had been reported at the time of writing. Police have launched an investigation and are examining CCTV footage from the area. The motive behind the attack also remains under investigation.
What was the public reaction to the shooting?
Residents in Shamli blocked a road near Verma Market in protest following the attack. The incident has drawn widespread attention given Baliyan's popularity in the Haryanvi entertainment industry.
