WATCH: Former Politician and Brother Killed During Live TV Broadcast by Gunmen Posing as Journalists

Gunmen disguised as journalists shot and killed former Indian parliamentarian Attiq Ahmed, 61, and his brother Ashraf during a live television broadcast in the northern city of Prayagraj on Saturday.

According to police official Prashant Kumar, the attackers, who have been detained and are being questioned, approached the brothers under the guise of reporters before opening fire at point-blank range. The televised footage showed the assailants shouting Hindu slogans after the attack.

Both victims belonged to India’s Muslim minority. Police have not yet indicated whether they are investigating a possible sectarian motive in the killings.

The brothers were known to be deeply involved in India’s criminal underworld, with the former parliamentarian reportedly facing over 100 different cases. The attackers were reported to be petty criminals.

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At the time of the incident, the pair were being taken to the hospital for medical examinations and were surrounded by police officers.

One of the gunmen was reportedly carrying a television camera, while another had a microphone with the logo of a television channel.

Days before the attack, police in the state of Uttar Pradesh claimed to have shot and killed Ahmed’s 19-year-old son and his accomplice in a shootout. Both were wanted for murder.

Numerous individuals facing charges in the state have been killed in similar so-called “police encounters” in recent years.

Civil rights groups argue that these killings are often extrajudicial executions.

Ahmed, who faced charges of murder and assault, had previously submitted a petition to India’s top court claiming that his life was under threat from the police. Last month, he had petitioned the court.

Indian ex-politician, brother shot dead live on TV https://t.co/3P9o5uyAY1 pic.twitter.com/oxlJyY49RU

— The Malaysian Insight (@msianinsight) April 16, 2023

Following the shooting, gatherings of more than four people were banned across Uttar Pradesh, a crime-ridden northern state of 200 million people governed by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Opposition parties expressed outrage, accusing the BJP of ruling through fear.

Hundreds of politicians across India, from all parties, have criminal cases pending against them, with Uttar Pradesh being a particular hotspot.

Nearly half of the government ministers in the state, including the state premier, are facing criminal charges, according to a statement by the independent monitoring group, the Association for Democratic Reforms.

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