India: Gangster Atiq Ahmad, brother Ashraf shot dead in Prayagraj, three attackers arrested

Gangster Atiq Ahmed, and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in Prayagraj on Saturday night while they were being taken for the mandatory medical checkup to the medical college in police custody. The incident took place two daysafter Atiq'sson Asad Ahmed waskilled by UP STF in an encounter in Jhansi. Asad had been cremated on Satuday.

Atiq Ahmed and his brother were reportedly killed when three assailants opened fire on them from point-blank rangein Prayagraj. ANI has reported that the three attackers have been arrested.Police constable Maan Singh official also sustained a bullet injury in the shooting, while a journalist was injured in fall amid the sudden commotion.

The killing was caught live on television channels as the gangsterbrotherswere speaking to the media while being on the move. Sources said that around 20 shots were fired as the brotherscollapsed on the ground.

Section 144 of CrPC imposed in Prayagraj districts while an alert was sounded across Uttar Pradesh.Police conductedflag march in Husainabad area of Lucknow after the murder of Atiq and Ashraf.

Uttar Pradeshchief ministerYogi Adityanathhas announced setting up of a three-member judicial commission toprobe the incident. Senior officials also suspended the 17 cops deployed for escorting Atiq and Asad to the medical college.

Disclaimer:The videomaycontainsgraphic visuals.Viewer discretionis advised.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Visuals from Prayagraj where Mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead. pic.twitter.com/RBSDxTk5TY — ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2023

Atiq Ahmed was charged with murder of Umesh Pal on February 24 in Prayagraj. Umesh was a witness in the 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case in which Atiq was an accused.

ALSO READ |India: Gangster Atiq Ahmed’s son killed in ‘encounter’ by Uttar Pradesh Police

On April 13, Atiq's sonAsad Ahmed and his shooter Ghulam were shot dead by UP STF during an encounter in Jhansi when they refused to surrender and opened fire in an attempt to flee. Both Asad and Ghulamwere wanted for the murder of Umesh Pal and his two police security guards outside his home in Prayagraj's Dhoomanganj area, and had been identified in the CCTV footage of the incident. Both Asad and Ghulam were carrying reward of Rs 5 lakh ($6000) each.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: "Three people have been arrested. Further details to be shared later": Police personnel on Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf Ahmed shot dead in Prayagraj pic.twitter.com/pNgyh2IpUJ — ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2023

A case was filed against Atiq Ahmad, his brother Ashraf, Asad, Ghulam, and others on February 25 as a result of a complaint made by Umesh Pal's wife Jaya Pal.

The FIR was filed under the IPC sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 506 (criminal intimidation), 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting with deadly weapons), 149 (unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), and 302 (murder).

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE: