MUZAFFARNAGAR: Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Balyan was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside a gym in Shamli district on Wednesday evening, with police launching a search for the attackers, officials said.The incident took place in the Kotwali police station area when Balyan was coming out of the gym, police said.According to police, the assailants arrived on two motorcycles and opened several rounds of fire at Balyan. He died at the spot.Superintendent of Police M P Singh said police rushed to the scene after receiving information about the shooting, PTI reported.“The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, and an investigation is underway. Police teams have been formed to arrest the accused,” he said.Police teams are examining CCTV footage from the area to identify the attackers and trace their movements, officials said.Speculation had emerged that Balyan was planning to contest the upcoming panchayat polls. However, there was no official confirmation from police or his associates on whether he was planning to enter electoral politics or whether it had any link to the killing.Balyan had more than 3.66 lakh subscribers on YouTube and featured in videos as a singer and performer alongside different collaborators.Several of his videos also featured guns, firearms and SUVs.The body has been sent for post-mortem examination as police continue their investigation into the killing.(With agency inputs)