Agra waiter shot dead; Police dismiss 'Pahalgam revenge' claims as fake narrative
Agra: The fatal shooting of a 27-year-old Muslim waiter in Agra on Wednesday night has sparked controversy after social media claims linked the incident to "revenge" for the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. However, the police have dismissed these claims, terming them as fake and inflammatory.
Gulfam, an employee at a restaurant on Shilpgram Road, was shot dead around midnight by three unidentified assailants on a scooter. Saif Ali (25), who worked at a nearby dhaba, was also injured in the firing and is currently stable after undergoing surgery to remove a bullet from his shoulder.
Shortly after the shooting, a video circulated online showing two men identifying themselves as members of the “Kshatriya Gau Raksha Dal” and claiming responsibility for the killing as an act of revenge for the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists. The men, armed with guns and knives, alleged that the victim had been targeted for his religious identity.
Tajganj Police, however, have rejected any communal motive behind the attack. The Agra Police Commissionerate clarified via its official X handle that no such organization exists in the city and that preliminary investigations point to a personal dispute, reportedly over food quality.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Tajganj) Areeb Ahmed stated that an FIR under Sections 101 (murder) and 109 (attempt to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita has been registered. Six teams are currently reviewing CCTV footage and monitoring border checkpoints to track down the accused.
One of the individuals seen in the viral video has been taken into custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the second. ACP (Cyber Cell) Sukanya Sharma warned that spreading communal misinformation could lead to legal consequences under the IT Act, and said cyber teams have flagged several handles for inciting tensions online.
Officials at S.N. Medical College confirmed that Gulfam died of a close-range gunshot wound. Forensic teams recovered three spent cartridges from the crime scene. Eyewitnesses described the attackers as being in their early 20s and fleeing towards Fatehabad Road.
Local citizens’ group Hindustani Biradari has called for communal harmony and announced the deployment of volunteers to counter online disinformation.
Restaurant owner Shahid Ali has appealed for enhanced night patrolling and upgraded CCTV infrastructure, particularly in the Shilpgram-Taj East Gate corridor—a tourist-heavy area recently visited by US Vice President J.D. Vance and his family.
Police expect significant progress in the investigation within 48 hours and continue to examine all possible motives, including communal provocation.
उत्तर प्रदेश के आगरा में 3 लोगों ने रेस्टोरेंट वर्कर गुलफाम की गोली मारकर हत्या कर दी। फायरिंग में सैफ अली के सीने पर भी गोली के छर्रे लगे हैं।
— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) April 24, 2025
क्षत्रिय गौरक्षा दल से जुड़े मनोज चौधरी ने एक Video जारी करके कहा– "ताजनगरी आगरा में 2 कटु* मारे गए। क्षत्रिय गोरक्षा दल इसकी… pic.twitter.com/qhNj8pw5b8
— POLICE COMMISSIONERATE AGRA (@agrapolice) April 24, 2025
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Azim Premji Foundation Scholarship: How to apply, when to apply; details here
Bengaluru: The Azim Premji Foundation has announced the Azim Premji Scholarship for the academic year 2025–26, aimed at supporting up to 2.5 lakh girls across 18 Indian states who are pursuing higher education after completing school. An official release from the foundation also stated that in the coming years the scholarship will be implemented across the country.
When to Apply:
According to a release from the foundation, the application process for the Azim Premji Scholarship 2025–26 will commence in September 2025. “Details of the program and any changes in the program design or coverage will be notified at the start of the application process,” the release added.
Where to Apply:
According to the release, the scholarship this year will be implemented across 18 states, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Students residing in these states and enrolled in recognised higher education institutions will be eligible to apply.
How to Apply:
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Girls who have completed their Class 10 and 12 education in government (public) schools and have secured admission in a bona fide higher education institution either a government-run college/university or select private institutions can apply for the scholarship.
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Once the application portal opens in September, students will be required to submit personal details, educational qualifications, proof of admission, and bank account information.
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The scholarship amount ₹30,000 per year will be transferred directly into the students' bank accounts in two instalments each academic year, read the release.
