One of the attackers who stabbed Saleem Wastik, an ex-Muslim YouTuber, was killed in an encounter with Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday, officials said.
According to police, the accused, identified as Zeeshan, sustained two bullet injuries during the exchange of fire. He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but later succumbed to his injuries. Zeeshan was a resident of Amroha.
The encounter came days after Wastik was brutally attacked at his residence in Ghaziabad’s Loni area. Wastik, an ex-Muslim known for publicly expressing critical views on Islam, was repeatedly stabbed in the neck and abdomen by two assailants on Friday (February 27).
Following the brutal attack on Wastik, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the police to take “strict action” and ensure the assailants who stabbed the social media influencer are arrested at the earliest.
The attackers allegedly arrived on a motorcycle, entered his Ashok Vihar Colony home under the Loni Police Station limits, and fled after the assault without removing their helmets. Locals gathered following the commotion and alerted the police.
He was initially taken to a nearby hospital and later referred to GTB Hospital in Delhi after his condition deteriorated. Hospital sources earlier described his condition as extremely serious.
Wastik runs two YouTube channels and has appeared on multiple television programmes. His main channel hosts 179 videos and has around 28,400 subscribers. He goes by the title ‘Ex-Muslim’.
Several individuals and organisations have linked the attack to Wastik’s identity as an ex-Muslim and his publicly expressed views, though police have not officially confirmed a motive.
UP Police formed 10 special teams to nab the accused after an FIR was lodged at the complaint of Wastik’s son, Usman, against seven named individuals. During the manhunt, raids were carried out at four locations, two in Delhi and two in Ghaziabad.
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