Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Balyan shot dead outside gym in Uttar Pradesh

Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Balyan was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside a gym in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli on Wednesday evening. The attackers opened fire on Balyan as he was stepping out of the gym in the Shamli Kotwali police station area. He sustained severe bullet injuries in the sudden attack and collapsed at the scene.Upon receiving information about the firing, a police team arrived at the spot and rushed the critically injured singer to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.Balyan, a native of Bantikhera, was a popular figure in Haryanvi music and on social media platforms. He gained widespread recognition for his song Bhari Court Mein Goli Maarenge Meri Jaan and had previously drawn public attention in 2023 following a roadshow in Shamli. Reports indicate that he was actively preparing to contest the upcoming District Panchayat elections.The news of his murder triggered widespread panic across the area. Police have launched an investigation and are reviewing footage from CCTV cameras installed near the crime scene to identify the assailants and ascertain the motive behind the killing. Senior police officials mentioned that the exact cause of the murder will be confirmed only after a detailed probe.Balyan’s digital presence centred heavily on hyper-local Haryanvi pop music videos, swagger-driven portrayals, and podcasts. His music content prominently featured themes of regional pride, "Desi" attitude, rural grit, and high-energy law-and-order tropes—evident in hit titles revolving around gun culture, local politics, and youth bravado. As a creator, he functioned as both lead performer and producer, often collaborating with prominent Haryanvi playback artists like Masoom Sharma, Raju Punjabi, and Aashu Twinkle. Beyond music, he expanded into political podcasts and ground-level vlogging, interviewing local politicians and community figures in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.Balyan was also known for songs such as 112 NE, Goli Ke Barood, Jaat Jatni, Agla Janam Jaat, Savidhan, Modi Barga Rutba, Jaat Dharmender Ki Tariya, Ek Khtola Jail Ke Bhitar, Wait, System, Riflein.- EndsPublished By: Anurag BohraPublished On: Aug 26, 2026 21:35 IST