Punjabi singer and rapper Sidhu Moose Wala has been reportedly shot dead.
The Indian Congress party and local media said the “talented musician”, formally called Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, was killed in Mansa district of Punjab.
It comes a day after the Punjab government withdrew its security, along with 429 people, as part of a plan to crack down on so-called “VIP culture,” according to The Indian Express.
The images have been circulating on social media after he was reportedly shot in the village of Jawaharke and pronounced dead at a local hospital. He was said to be in a car when the attack took place.
Moose Wala had run unsuccessfully in the 2022 Indian Congress Party election in Punjab.
He was best known for his stage name Sidhu Moose Wala, gaining worldwide recognition for his music which has garnered millions of views.
The 28-year-old’s hit songs include The Last Ride, So High and Dollar. He collaborated with British artists MIST, Steel Banglez and Stefflon Don on track 47, which has garnered 33 million views on YouTube.
Moose Wala made history when he became the first Indian singer to perform at the Wireless Festival last year, alongside rapper MIST.
The rapper shared an Instagram post for the “legend”.
Moose Wala also attended the BritAsia TV Music Awards in 2019, where he picked up four awards after his “amazing” performance.
Indian politician Rahul Gandhi has expressed his “condolences”.
He said: “Deeply shocked and saddened by the assassination of promising Congress leader and talented artist Sidhu Moosewala.
“My deepest condolences to your loved ones and fans around the world.”
The Indian National Congress also offered its “deepest condolences to his friends, followers and acquaintances.”