Punjab Police Chief Viresh Kumar Bhavra told reporters that the 28-year-old singer, whose real name was Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, sustained bullet injuries and was rushed to a hospital, where his death was confirmed.
Bhawra said that around 30 empty shells have been found from the crime scene, which contain at least three different weapons, including a 9 mm gun.
The Punjab Police linked the attack to a gang rivalry, with a Canadian gang member allegedly taking responsibility for Moose Wala’s death. But political groups have blamed Punjab’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for allowing the murder.
India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party said in a statement, “Sidhu Moose Wala was killed in a state-sponsored murder. The AAP government is fully responsible for this.”
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann told AAP that the killers of Moose Wala will not be spared. He tweeted, “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific murder of Sidhu Moose Wala. No one involved will be spared. My condolences and prayers are with his family and his fans across the world. I request everyone to remain calm. I appeal.”
the killing
Bhavra told that the Moose wala left the house at around 4.30 pm in a car with two other people. He said that after about an hour, two cars came near the vehicle from the front and opened fire.
According to the Press Trust of India, the state government of Punjab announced the withdrawal of the security cover provided earlier to 424 officials, including 122 politicians, including Moose Wala. Critics said the move would put individuals at risk of attack.
Bhavra said that Moose Wala usually had four commandos, but two were redeployed to cover the anniversary of the Sikh genocide. Moose Wala still has two armed security guards, but he decided not to travel with police protection on Sunday, Bhavra said. “When he left the house, he did not take the commandos (guards) with him and told them that they need not come,” Bhavra said.
Bhavra said that the singer also had a bulletproof car which he did not use.
Moose Wala rose to fame in 2017 after releasing his first song, becoming one of the most prominent musicians of his generation.
He had 8 million followers on Instagram and his music videos have made millions The number of views on YouTube. Fellow rapper Drake reacted to the news of his death by sharing a photo of him on Instagram. “RIP Moose,” he wrote in a caption.
The rapper ventured into politics in 2021 and joined the Indian National Congress party, contesting the Punjab Assembly elections in February, when he was defeated by rival AAP.
Moose Wala’s Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi shared a public condolences on social media.