Prayagraj: Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf have been killed, late night reports said. He and his brother were shot when they were taken for a medical test in Prayagraj.
The news trickled in even as his son Asad — who was slain the other day in an encounter — was given a near anonymous burial with both father Atiq and his mother conspicuous by absence. Apparently, Atiq was denied a last glimpse of his son for procedural reasons.
Atiq and his brother were speaking to the media on camera when they were shot at point blank by three people. All the camera persons along with police immediately separated themselves from the scene as the two fell to the ground lying in a pool of blood.
Even after the fall, the men kept shooting at Atiq and Ashraf. They were shot in the head, chest and legs. The men were apprehended with their weapons immediately.
.jpg)
(Disturbing visuals)
3 shooters nabbed
At least three shooters involved in Atiq's killing have been nabbed by the Uttar Pradesh Police, according to reports. One police constable sustained a minor injury in the firing, the details of which were extremely sketchy.
Vijay Mishra, the lawyer of the murdered gangster, told NDTV that someone from a crowd of reporters fired at Atiq and his brother from close range. Mishra said he was standing beside them when they were shot dead.
Police yet to release statement
The police were yet to release a statement. Another report on channel News 18 said Atiq sustained fatal head injuries from ten rounds of firing. The attack was pre-planned and two people have been arrested, the channel confirmed
The brothers were talking to the media at the entrance of the medical college, when three youths standing at the gate started firing, according to Prayagraj police. The youths fired ten rounds killing both Atiq and Ashraf. The first round of fire hit Atiq on head and he fell to the ground. Soon a burst of fire also killed his brother Ashraf.
Two policemen were also injured in the firing.
Police officials who were accompanying Atiq and Ashraf said that the assailants first chanted the slogan “Jai Shri Ram” and then opened fire with sophiscated weapons. The police have nabbed all the three assailants on the spot.
Atiq and Ashraf were taken on police remand three days ago and on Saturday they had gone to their village Kasari-Masari in Prayagraj for recovery of illegal weapons obtained from Kashmiri ultras.
Umesh Pal killing
Don turned politician Atiq had been facing more than 100 criminal cases and was recently sentenced to life imprisonment in the Umesh Pal murder case. Pal was a main witness in the murder case of legislator Raju Pal in which Atiq is the prime accused.
In February this year, Pal was sprayed with bullets outside his residence and his family members had named Atiq as the key conspirator of the murder. Atiq’s son Asad was also named in the FIR lodged by the family members of Umesh Pal. On Thursday, Asad was killed in an encounter by the UP Special Task Force at Jhansi.
