Shamli: The killing of Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Baliyan in Shamli has drawn comparisons with the 2022 murder of Punjabi music star Sidhu Moose Wala, with both cases involving popular regional singers being targeted in shootings.
Baliyan was shot dead on Wednesday evening shortly after leaving a gym in Shamli's CB Gupta Colony. Police said three to four armed men opened fire on him before fleeing the area. CCTV footage is being examined as investigators work to identify the attackers and establish the motive behind the killing.
Reports indicate that Baliyan was returning to his black Scorpio when the attackers struck. Some accounts have reported that several rounds were fired at close range, with bullets hitting the vehicle. The nature of the attack has led to questions about whether the singer was specifically targeted.
The Sidhu Moose Wala parallel
The circumstances have inevitably reminded many of Sidhu Moose Wala's murder in Punjab. On May 29, 2022, Moose Wala was travelling in his SUV with two others when two vehicles allegedly intercepted him near Jawaharke village in Mansa district. The attackers then opened fire, killing the 28-year-old singer.
While the two incidents are separated by more than four years and occurred in different states, the similarity lies in the apparent targeting of prominent regional singers through armed attacks involving their vehicles.
Moose Wala's murder was investigated as a suspected gang-related killing. Punjab Police's investigation later described the case as part of a wider cycle of gang rivalry and revenge killings.
In Baliyan's case, however, the motive has not yet been established. A social media post allegedly claiming responsibility in the name of the Gogi gang has surfaced, but police are still examining its authenticity and the claims made in it.
Both singers built strong regional identities
The comparison also stems from the public profiles of the two singers. Moose Wala became a global name while retaining a strong connection with Punjabi culture and rural Punjab. Baliyan similarly built his following through Haryanvi music, YouTube content and a style centred on regional identity, rural life and a hard-edged image.
Baliyan's most recognised tracks included Bhari Court Mein Goli Marenge, while his catalogue also featured songs such as 112 NE, Goli Ke Barood, System, Riflein and Jaat Jatni. He had also expanded his online presence through podcasts and discussions involving social and political issues.
The violent imagery associated with some of Baliyan's music has taken on an especially unsettling context following his death. His song Bhari Court Mein Goli Marenge has attracted renewed attention because the singer himself became the victim of a shooting.
Investigation now underway
Following Baliyan's murder, his family and local residents staged protests and blocked the Delhi-Muzaffarnagar road, demanding that the killers be arrested. Police have formed multiple teams and are pursuing leads, including CCTV footage and possible personal or political rivalries.
Authorities are also examining the alleged gang connection circulating online. At this stage, there is no official confirmation that the social media claim accurately identifies those behind the killing.
The deaths of Baliyan and Moose Wala are therefore being compared because of the broad circumstances surrounding the attacks, rather than because investigators have established a connection between the two cases. For Baliyan's family and fans, the immediate demand remains the same: identify the shooters, uncover the motive and bring those responsible to justice.
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