Sidhu Moose Wala, the Punjabi singer and rapper who was shot dead in India, was hit by 24 bullets, according to an autopsy report.
The 28-year-old, officially known as Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, was killed on Sunday while driving his jeep with two passengers in the village of Jhawahar Ke in Mansa district.
An autopsy showed he suffered most of the bullets in his chest and abdomen while two bullets hit his leg, local media reported.
Punjab police have arrested people in connection with his murder.
State Police Chief VK Bhawra said the initial investigation revealed that the killing was related to “gang rivalry”.
The shooting came a day after the Punjab government withdrew the security of the popular performer as part of efforts to deal with the so-called “VIP culture”. The move sparked outrage on social media from opposition supporters and leaders.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ordered an investigation led by a high court judge.
Image: Fans and supporters gather outside Sidhu Moose Wala’s house
Thousands of people gathered in Moose Wala’s hometown, Moosa, to pay their respects to the singer, who was cremated on Tuesday.
He was dressed as a groom for the ceremony as part of a local ritual when a young bachelor dies.
His assassination was a shock to fans, with those paying tribute on social media, including Indian politicians and artists such as Drake, MIST and Burna Boy.
Moose Wala started out as a songwriter before the hit song So High in 2018 catapulted his singing career, making him known among the Indian and Punjabi diaspora in countries like the UK and Canada.
Described as a pioneer for his community, he collaborated with British artists MIST, Stefflon Don and Steel Banglez on Track 47, which has garnered 33 million views on YouTube.
He also made history when he became the first Indian singer to perform at the Wireless Festival and won four awards at the BritAsia TV Music Awards.
He ran unsuccessfully in the 2022 Indian Congress party election in Punjab.
Moose Wala’s latest song, The Last Ride, is said to be a tribute to American rapper Tupac Shakur, who was also shot dead while in a vehicle.