Ghaziabad,

28 Feb (HS): The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh today personally took

cognizance of the deadly attack on YouTuber Salim, who speaks out against

Muslim evils and religious fanaticism. On Saturday, he directed officials to

ensure no laxity in the case and to take strict action against the

perpetrators. The Chief Minister's cognizance of the incident has created a

stir within the Ghaziabad police department. Police officers have begun

searching for the fleeing accused.

A

50-year-old YouTuber renowned for his purported contentious films on a certain

religion was stabbed many times by two bike-riding persons wearing helmets in

the Loni neighborhood here, according to police. Salim Ahmed, also known as

Salim Wastik, was ambushed at his workplace in Ali Garden just after conducting

morning prayers. According to the police, the perpetrators, who had been

observed loitering nearby, entered the workplace and assaulted him with

sharp-edged weapons before leaving. Ahmed was seriously injured in the neck,

abdomen, and ear. The victim was stabbed 14 times in the neck and abdomen. The

attackers continued stabbing Salim until he fell unconscious.

Following the uproar, locals gathered and

informed the police, who transported him to Loni's hospital. According to ACP

Loni Siddhartha Gautam, he was later taken to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital

in Delhi due to his serious condition.

Ahmed

operates the YouTube channel Salim Wastik. According to the officer, the

preliminary inquiry indicates that he may have been targeted because of his

films reportedly criticizing certain activities within the Muslim community. According

to Gautam, a FIR has been filed based on his son Usman's accusation against

seven listed persons. The ACP stated that efforts are underway to gather CCTV

video from the vicinity in order to identify and track the perpetrators.

Assistant

Police Commissioner Loni, Siddharth Gautam, said that Usman, a resident of Alvi

Nagar, told that his father, Salim Warsi, runs a YouTube channel. His office is

in Ali Garden Colony. He said that on February 27th, at around 6 a.m., his

father had gone to the office. At that time, two unidentified bike riders

wearing helmets entered the office. The accused stabbed his father repeatedly

in the neck and stomach. He said that according to the victim, after his father

fell unconscious, the criminals thought he was dead and fled.

In

his complaint, Usman has accused Bhati Builder, AIMIM leader Ajgar, Ashfaq,

Sonu, and Shahrukh of attempted murder. He said that three police teams have

been formed and raids are underway to search for the accused. The Chief

Minister of Uttar Pradesh has taken a strong stance on this incident and has

ordered officials to take strict action.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi