Agra Biryani Shop Worker Shot Dead; Viral Video Claims 'Pahalgam Attack Avenged'

In a shocking incident in Agra, a restaurant worker, identified as Gulfam Ali, was shot dead and his colleague injured during a firing incident late Wednesday night, The Indian Express reported. Both Gulfam and his co-worker, Saif Ali, were employed at Shahid Ali Chicken Biryani, a restaurant owned by Gulfam’s cousin, Shahid Ali.

Shortly after the murder, a video surfaced on social media showing two armed men claiming responsibility for the attack. One of them, brandishing pistols and a knife, alleged that the killing was carried out to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, which left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead.

In the video, the man is heard saying in Hindi, “I pledge in the name of Bharat Mata that if we do not avenge the killing of 26 with 2,600, I am not a son of Bharat Mata.” He further used a religious slur while stating that two people had been killed. According to The Times of India (TOI), the man identified himself as Manoj Chaudhary, although the identity of his accomplice remains unknown.

However, local authorities dismissed the claims made in the video. According to Agra Police, no such organisation named "Kshatriya Gau Raksha Dal" operates in the region. “The video on social media appears to be a publicity stunt. An FIR has been registered at Tajganj and a probe is on,” police officials told TOI.

Deepak Kumar, Agra’s Police Commissioner, further clarified that the motive behind the crime was personal and not linked to any extremist group. "The crime was a fallout of a quarrel over the quality of food a few days ago," Kumar said, as quoted by TOI. He added, "Investigation has revealed that the two men in the video are not Kshatriyas, and their self-declared status as gau rakshaks is also doubtful. At this stage, it appears to be more of a publicity stunt."

CCTV footage from the crime scene reportedly showed the presence of four individuals. Kumar confirmed that one suspect had already been arrested in connection with the case.

According to the police, Gulfam and Saif were attacked by three men riding a scooter. While Gulfam succumbed to gunshot injuries, Saif narrowly escaped, suffering only a neck graze from a bullet.

Authorities have filed an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita related to murder and attempt to murder, and further investigation is underway.​