UP CM Yogi Adityanath constitutes high-level committee to probe killing of Atiq Ahmed, his brother

Atiq and his brother were shot dead while they were being taken for a medical test. A senior official told The Indian Express that the interrogation of Atiq and Ashraf was almost complete and, as per routine legal procedure, both were taken to the hospital under police security for a check-up before being sent back to judicial custody.

The official added that the two got down from the police van on the hospital campus and were escorted by cops. Both were a few yards away from the entrance of the hospital when mediapersons gathered to pose questions to them. Atiq had just started responding to a question when the cameras showed a hand carrying a pistol appear behind him, pushing aside his white turban with the nozzle of the gun and firing from point blank range at his left temple. At the same moment, another bullet pierced Ashraf’s neck from the left side, and both brothers slumped to ground. Atiq is seen in the video holding hand of a police constable, Maan Singh, tightly as he falls to the ground. The policeman, too, sustained a gunshot as the shooters kept firing unabated.

Prayagraj Police Commissioner Ramit Sharma later said that the gunmen had come there in garb of mediapersons. The shooters are being interrogated and are yet to be identified, added Sharma.

Seconds after emptying their magazines, the two shooters raised their hands and surrendered before the policemen present there. Another youth carrying a bag on his shoulder also surrendered.