Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, flanked by several policemen were talking to reporters when 3 men posing as journalists shot them in the head at point-blank range in UP’s Prayagraj district. The two brothers collapsed right there and the 3 shooters were captured by the police then and there. The whole incident was captured live on camera.
Here is a detailed timeline of the events that unfolded on Saturday night and the aftermath:
April 15, 10:35 PM: Gangster Atiq and brother were being taken for medical checkup in UP’s Prayagraj, escorted by several policemen. 3 shooters posing as journalists opened fire on the two men and killed them on the spot.
April 15, 11:36 PM: All the three assailants were overpowered and caught by the police immediately.
April 15, 11:59 PM: A media person and a constable also suffer bullet injuries. Section 144 imposed in Prayagraj.
April 16, 12:01 AM: All 3 shooters were kept in three different police stations.
April 16, 12:15 AM: CP Prayagraj says probe is on.
April 16, 12:20 AM: Arms seized from the possession of the suspects.
April 16, 12:25 AM: UP CM Yogi Adityanath takes cognizance of the situation and calls an immediate high-level meeting. CM instructs police to ensure law and order is maintained in the state.
April 16, 12:30 AM: Special DG states that alert has been sounded across states.
April 16, 12:30 AM: Contingents of RAF moved to Prayagraj.
April 16, 12:45 AM: More forces called from neighboring districts. UP police conducts flag march in Lucknow.
April 16, 01:47 AM: UP CM Yogi orders formation of 3-member judicial commission to probe the incident.
April 16, 01:50 AM: Section 144 of CrPC imposed in all districts of UP.
April 16, 01:20 AM: Security enhanced around the house of Umesh Pal.
April 16, 10:30 AM: Police traces the location of Guddu Muslim, an accused in Umesh Pal murder case, in Nashik.
April 16, 12:30 AM: NewsX accesses copy of FIR against the 3 shooters who were named Lovlesh Tiwar, Sunny and Arun Maurya. Sources reveal that the three men were hired as sharp shooters by the ISI handlers. It was also revealed that the gun used to kill Atiq and Ashraf was Turkey-made Zigana pistol and had been dropped from Pakistan to India.
Atiq Ahmed was accused in the killing of BSP MLA Raju Pal and afterwards, the kidnapping and murder of Umesh Pal and had over 100 cases filed against him. He was brought to Prayagraj from Gujarat’s Sabarmati Central Jail on March 26.
On March 28, he was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment in the kidnapping case. Ahmed moved the Supreme Court for protection claiming that he and his family have been falsely implicated in Umesh Pal murder case and that he may be killed in a fake encounter by the UP police.
Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party head Akhilesh Yadav and BSP chief Mayawati hit out at Yogi government alleging depletion of law and order in the state.
