Atiq Ahmad killing Highlights: Bodies of mafia don, brother buried near son Asad's grave

Briefing reporters in Prayagraj, Commissioner of Police Ramit Sharma said that the three assailants, who were arrested immediately after the incident, had joined the group of mediapersons who were trying to get sound bites from Ahmad and Ashraf, PTI reported.

“As per mandatory legal requirement, Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were brought to the hospital for medical examination. According to preliminary information, three persons posing as journalists approached them and opened fire. Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were killed in the attack. The attackers have been held and are being questioned”, he added.

Atiq Ahmed was accused in the 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case and also in the Umesh Pal murder case which happened in February this year.

The deceased Mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed had more than 100 First Information Reports (FIR) and brother Ashraf had more than 57 FIRs against Ashraf, a police official informed on Sunday.

The shooting that occurred around 10 pm was caught on camera as mediapersons were following the duo who were being escorted to the hospital by police for a medical checkup. The incident occurred while Atiq and Ashraf were surrounded by police, and the assailants fired multiple shots at close range.

The bullet-riddled bodies of Ahmad and Ashraf were taken away from the spot as tension gripped the area after the sensational killings.

“Any killing in police security raises questions on the state police which is already facing accusations of fake encounters. The state government cannot escape from its responsibility,” said UP Congress committee president Brijlal Khabri. A party spokesperson demanded a probe into the incident.

Atiq Ahmad and his brother were in police custody since a local court allowed their remand for four days from Thursday afternoon (April 14) to Monday afternoon (April 17). The court had directed their medical examination to be conducted daily.

Ahmad’s wife Shaista Parveen, who was at large after being accused in the Umesh Pal case, also turned up at the hospital where the brothers were shot dead.

Including Atiq’s son’s death, there have been three controversial encounters connected to the Umesh Pal murder case.

Ahmad and his brother were brought to the city in late March from a Gujarat prison in connection with the February 24 murder of Umesh Pal, a lawyer who was key witness in a 2005 murder case in which Ahmad was accused.

“It all happened in seconds. Atiq was answering questions of journalists and Ashraf was standing next to him handcuffed. Suddenly, a man shot Atiq in the head and before Ashraf could react, he too was shot. The assailants, two or three, kept firing at Atiq and Ashraf even after they collapsed on the ground,” said a policeman who was present at the spot.

“Nahi le gaye to nahi gaye (they did not take us, so we did not go),” Ahmad was quoted as saying in the moments before he was shot dead, in what was a reference to his son Asad’s funeral that was held earlier in the day.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the Prayagraj incident. He immediately convened a high-level meet and gave instructions that the case be probed. The chief minister also issued instructions that a 3-member judicial commission be set up. All three attackers have been arrested. The police are conducting an inquiry,” the state government said in a press note.

"I have just come to know about the incident. It is all a matter of investigation before we can comment on whether it is gangwar or something else. This is a sensitive issue," former deputy CM Dinesh Sharma said.

When asked to comment on Swatantra Dev's tweet about 'paap, punya ka hisaab issi janm main hota hai (one's good and bad acts are all settled in this lifetime only)', Sharma said, "I think what someone might have meant to say was underline a basic fact that good and bad acts are paid for in this lifetime. But I maintain that it's a sensitive issue and one must wait for investigation to arrive at any conclusion."

The killing of gangster Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf showed that crime was at its peak in Uttar Pradesh, former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said on Saturday night, shortly after the murders. Read more

The assailants have been identified as Sunny, Lovelesh, and Arun. They were heard chanting "Jai Shri Ram" during the attack and were apprehended immediately. Read more

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Babul Supriyo on Saturday alleged that the Uttar Pradesh Police allowed the assailants to kill gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad in Prayagraj. Read more

Reacting to the sensational killings, Subrat Pathak, BJP MP said, “What has happened in Prayagraj is a matter of investigation. Though the manner of killings cannot be justified yet, one must also remember that those who were killed were no saints. They were wanted in connection with dozens of cases of heinous crimes.”

In the aftermath of the incident, Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in all UP districts. Read more

Earlier on Saturday, Ahmad's son Asad Ahmad, who had been killed in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, had his last rites performed. Ahmad, a former Samajwadi Party MP, and his brother were brought to Prayagraj for a court hearing in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case and were remanded in police custody.

The brothers were handcuffed at the time of the killing and the disturbing footage of the incident was widely shared on social media and television networks.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has asked the officers concerned to stay alert in the field. Peace must be maintained in the state, said a senior state government officer. 

He also said that general public should not face any problem. No one should try to play with law and order. He also made an appeal to people not to pay any attention to any rumours. Rumour-mongers will face tough action, said the officer.

Senior police officers ordered state police social media cell to monitor online posts related to Prayagraj incident, stern action will be taken against people posting objectionable content in this regard.

Tension in old city areas of Chakia and Rajruppur areas of Prayagraj. Stone pelting being reported.

High alert sounded across UP, section 144 enforced in all 75 districts. District police officers directed to organize flag march in sensitive areas of respected districts.