AMU teacher shot dead in Aligarh while out for walk; police launch manhunt

Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh): A teacher at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Uttar Pradesh was shot dead on campus on Wednesday night, officials said, as police began a search for the attackers.

The victim, identified as Rao Danish Ali, taught at the university’s ABK School. AMU Proctor Professor Mohd Wasim Ali said the shooting took place near the university library at around 9pm.

“We learned that the man who had been shot has been identified as Rao Danish Ali, and he was a teacher at the ABK School of the university. He was shot in the head... He died there at the medical college...,” the proctor told reporters. 

Police said officers reached the scene soon after receiving the alert. Ali was taken to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Rao was shot twice in the head, as per an NDTV report. One of the assailants reportedly warned Danish before shooting him, saying, "You don't know me yet, now you will.”

Senior Superintendent of Police Neeraj Jadon said two unidentified men were involved in the attack. “An investigation is under way and efforts are being made to trace the assailants,” he said.

Officials said the exact number of shots fired was still being verified, with differing accounts suggesting between three and five rounds.

The killing comes amid renewed political debate over law and order in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath told the state assembly that security conditions in the state had improved, saying a safer environment had helped attract investment. He also criticised the opposition Samajwadi Party, accusing it of fostering disorder in the past, and maintained that the rule of law now prevails and communal violence has been curbed.

Police said further details would be shared as the investigation progresses.

ANI