UP police extend probe beyond shooters in Ankit Balyan murder

The Uttar Pradesh Police announced an expansion of its investigation into the murder of Haryanvi performer Ankit Balyan, stating that the inquiry will go beyond the two gunmen killed in a recent encounter. The DGP, Rajiv Krishna, briefed the media in Lucknow on Monday, outlining the steps taken since the 31 August shooting.

Balyan was leaving a fitness centre in the Nala Patri sector of Shamli Kotwali when four armed men opened fire, leading to his instant death. An FIR was lodged against four unidentified individuals. In response, the police formed multiple task forces to locate the shooters and to map the larger criminal apparatus believed to have orchestrated the killing.

Through a combination of human sources and technical surveillance, investigators had identified a set of suspects by 29 August. During an attempted interception on Monday, two of these suspects—Mohit and Sumit—engaged the police, resulting in an exchange of fire that left two officers wounded and the two suspects dead.

According to the DGP, early evidence points to the involvement of the Gogi gang, and that Ankit Balyan had been specifically marked for elimination prior to the incident. The police recovered firearms, ammunition and other material from the site, which will be examined in connection with the larger plot.

“We are determined to reach every link in this chain – from the men who pulled the trigger to those who supplied weapons and logistics,” Krishna said, adding that a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh has been offered to the STF and police personnel who contributed to the operation. He assured that coordination with central agencies will continue until all culprits are apprehended.