Indian Politician and Gangster Atiq Ahmed Shot Dead on Live Television
Police say the gunmen were masquerading as journalists – and three people were arrested at the scene.
An Indian gangster-turned-politician, Atiq Ahmed, and his brother Ashraf were shot dead on live television while being escorted for a medical check-up in handcuffs.
Gunmen Masquerading as Journalists
Camera crews accosted the brothers during the escort, and police say the gunmen who killed them were masquerading as journalists. Ashraf Ahmed was also killed during the attack, and a police officer and news reporter were injured. Three people were arrested at the scene, at least one of them chanting “Jai Shri Ram” or “Hail Lord Ram,” a slogan that has become a battle cry for Hindu nationalists in their campaign against Muslims.
The Attack and Aftermath
Police officer Ramit Sharma stated that the gunmen got close to the brothers on the pretext of filming them and then shot them in the head at close range in a matter of seconds.
Atiq Ahmad’s son and another man, both blamed for a recent murder, were killed by the police in what was described as a shootout just a few days prior to this attack. The killings have been condemned by opposition politicians who claim the government in Uttar Pradesh is soft on crime.
Background on Atiq Ahmad
Atiq Ahmad, aged 60, was jailed in 2019 after he was convicted of kidnapping. His death has raised questions about the safety of the general public and has created an atmosphere of fear among them. Some politicians have alleged that some people are deliberately creating this atmosphere.
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