The two suspects struck so quickly that the police at the scene had no time to react. The incident was recorded on television.
Atiq Ahmed, a gangster turned politician, and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at close range while giving interviews while being taken to a hospital in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on the evening of April 15.
At around 10:35 p.m., a team of more than a dozen police and patrolling soldiers took Atiq and Ashraf, who were detained on multiple criminal charges, to the Motilal Nehru Hospital for a routine medical check-up. As the police escorted the two suspects towards the hospital, television reporters rushed to interview them.
Atiq and Ashraf had just started talking when a young man, standing in the crowd of reporters, suddenly pulled out a gun and fired two shots into Atiq’s head. The gangster fell to the ground and died on the spot.
Shortly afterwards, Ashraf – who was handcuffed with Atiq – was also shot in the head and collapsed to the ground. The sudden shooting sent reporters scrambling to find cover.
Witnesses said the two suspects pulled the trigger a total of 14 times. The shooting lasted just 22 seconds. Police immediately subdued the two suspects who directly fired the shots and arrested an accomplice. These people disguised themselves as reporters to easily commit the crime. Police discovered three guns at the scene.
Some witnesses said the three suspects went to the hospital on a motorbike and waited there for half an hour before Atiq and Ashraf were taken there.
Ramit Sharma, Prayagraj city police commissioner, confirmed that Atiq and Ashraf died at the scene and three related suspects were arrested for murder. A reporter and a police officer were slightly injured in the incident.
Atiq faces 103 criminal charges, while Ashraf faces 53. Both are being held in local jails awaiting trial. On the day of the shooting, Atiq and Ashraf were taken to Prayagraj for medical examinations and questioning in the February 24 shootout that left a lawyer and his bodyguards dead.
