Ghaziabad Encounter: Attacker in Saleem Wastik Stabbing Shot Dead by UP Police

One of the accused involved in the stabbing of ex-Muslim YouTuber Saleem Wastik was killed in a police encounter in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district on Sunday, officials confirmed.

According to police sources, the accused, identified as Zeeshan, sustained bullet injuries during an exchange of fire with the Uttar Pradesh Police. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to his injuries. Zeeshan was reportedly a resident of Amroha district.

The encounter comes days after Saleem Wastik was brutally attacked at his residence in Ashok Vihar Colony under the Loni Police Station limits in Ghaziabad. The attack took place on February 27 when two unidentified assailants allegedly arrived on a motorcycle, entered his home and repeatedly stabbed him in the neck and abdomen. The attackers reportedly kept their helmets on and fled immediately after the assault.

Following the attack, local residents gathered at the scene and alerted the police. Wastik was initially admitted to a nearby hospital and later referred to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital in Delhi as his condition worsened. Hospital sources have described his health condition as extremely serious, and he remains under intensive medical care.

Saleem Wastik is known for running YouTube channels where he publicly expresses critical views on Islam and identifies himself as an ex-Muslim. His primary channel hosts over 170 videos and has nearly 30,000 subscribers. He has also appeared on several television discussions.

After the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to take strict action and ensure swift arrest of those involved in the attack. An FIR was registered based on a complaint filed by Wastik’s son, Usman, naming seven individuals.

To track down the accused, Uttar Pradesh Police formed 10 special teams and conducted raids at multiple locations, including two in Delhi and two in Ghaziabad. The police have not officially confirmed the motive behind the attack, although various groups have linked it to Wastik’s public identity and views.

Authorities have stated that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other suspects involved in the case. Security has also been reviewed in sensitive areas as a precautionary measure.

The incident has drawn significant attention online and sparked debate over safety of digital content creators expressing controversial viewpoints.