ALIGARH, Dec 25: A teacher at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) was shot dead by assailants near Kennedy Hall, police said on Thursday. The incident took place on Wednesday evening, triggering panic among students and faculty. Police believe the murder was carried out with prior planning.
The victim, identified as Rao Danish Hilal, was walking in front of Kennedy Hall when the attackers approached him, allegedly abused him and then opened fire. Two assistant professors who were with him tried to intervene, but were threatened at gunpoint and forced to step back.
The sudden firing caused chaos at a nearby canteen, where students fled in fear. When some students attempted to act, the attackers fired in the air and escaped.
According to sources, Hilal had arrived at AMU on his motorcycle, which he parked near the Maulana Azad Library canteen. He reportedly had tea at the canteen before going for his routine evening walk. On most days, he was accompanied by his son or nephew, but on Wednesday he was alone.
Doctors at JN Medical College said the professor sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head and died due to excessive blood loss. Police recovered five spent cartridges from the scene.
Senior police officers said the manner of the attack suggests the assailants may have known the victim. “The attackers abused him before shooting, which indicates familiarity and a possible prior dispute,” an officer said, adding that an incident between the parties may have occurred a day or two earlier.
Police teams worked late into the night scanning CCTV footage from the Maulana Azad Library, library canteen, Sulaiman Hall and surrounding areas. Some suspicious visuals have been found and efforts are underway to identify the attackers. It is still unclear whether the assailants were on a scooter or on foot.
AMU Vice-Chancellor and the Senior Superintendent of Police met the bereaved family. Family members have denied any known enmity. Friends and colleagues described Hilal as cheerful earlier in the day. He had reportedly told colleagues he would be leaving on Friday to perform Umrah with his mother after his leave was approved.
Rao Danish Hilal belonged to a family deeply connected with AMU. His father was a former AMU teacher, his mother also served as a school teacher, and his brother is employed at the University Polytechnic. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
SSP Neeraj Jadaun said, “The teacher was shot dead by two assailants near Kennedy Hall. CCTV footage is being examined to identify the attackers. The investigation is ongoing.”
(UNI)
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