New Delhi: Gunmen seemingly posing as journalists shot dead former Indian Member of Parliament and his brother live on TV as they were being taken in handcuffs to hospital by police, authorities said. Atiq Ahmed (61) who had been jailed since 2019 and was convicted of kidnapping, was answering reporters’ questions on Saturday when he and his brother Ashraf were shot at close range, television images showed.

“According to preliminary information, three persons posing as journalists approached them and opened fire. Attackers have been held and are being questioned,” police official Prashant Kumar said.

TV clip in northern city of Prayagraj shows assailants shouting Hindu slogans after brazen attack. Two victims were from India’s Muslim minority but police did not say whether they were investigating possible sectarian motive in killings. Brothers were deeply involved in India’s criminal underworld ex-MP was reportedly facing more than 100 different cases and press reports said attackers were petty criminals. Pair were being taken to hospital for medical examinations and were surrounded by police officers at time. Local media reports said one of gunmen was even carrying television camera and another microphone with logo of television channel.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 17 2023

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