Shamli, August 27: Haryanvi singer and actor Ankit Baliyan was fatally shot outside a gym in Shamli district on Thursday evening, with police suspecting a possible connection to a social media post allegedly claiming responsibility for the killing.

According to officials, Baliyan had just stepped out of a fitness centre at around 6:55 PM when four unidentified assailants travelling in two vehicles opened fire at him. He sustained multiple gunshot injuries and was rushed to a Community Health Centre (CHC), but doctors declared him dead.

Additional Director General of Police (ADG), Meerut, Bhanu Bhaskar, said Baliyan was a well-known singer who had released several videos on YouTube. He said police personnel at the spot immediately rushed the injured singer to the hospital, but his life could not be saved.

The Shamli Police are also investigating a viral social media post purportedly linked to the Gogi gang, which claimed responsibility for the murder. The post allegedly referred to a song created by Baliyan on a theme similar to the killing of gangster Jitendra Gogi, who was shot dead inside Delhi's Rohini Court.

Shamli Superintendent of Police N.P. Singh said the authenticity and origin of the social media post were being verified. Police are also investigating whether Baliyan had any previous dispute with members of the alleged gang.

Senior police and administrative officials, including the Shamli SP and District Magistrate, the DIG of Saharanpur Range and the SP of Baghpat, reached the crime scene following the shooting. Police teams from Muzaffarnagar were also deployed.

Six to seven investigative teams have been formed and are examining CCTV footage and pursuing leads in multiple locations. Teams have also been sent to Haryana and other areas as part of the investigation.

Police are probing several possible angles, including old rivalries and personal disputes. However, the exact motive behind Baliyan's killing has not yet been established.