Tragic Shooting Incident in Azamgarh: Family and Priests Killed

A tragic shooting incident in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, resulted in the deaths of a man, his wife, their son, and two priests. The confrontation began over a religious ceremony that the man opposed, leading to a standoff with police. After hours of negotiation, both the shooter and his son were fatally injured. This shocking event has left the community in mourning, with investigations ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 23, 2026, 15:18 IST

Incident Overview

Azamgarh: A horrifying incident unfolded in Azamgarh district, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday evening. In the village of Shambhupur, a man named Arvind Singh shot and killed his wife Babita Singh and two priests, Mahendra Pathak and Akhilesh Mishra, who were at their home for a religious ceremony. Following the shootings, he took his children hostage.

During a standoff with the police that lasted approximately 7-8 hours, Arvind also shot his son. In the ensuing police response, Arvind was injured and later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. His son also died while receiving treatment.

Background of the Dispute

According to family members, Arvind's brother was murdered in 2019, leading to a belief in supernatural influences within the family. Consequently, his mother and wife arranged for special prayers at home, which Arvind opposed. On Tuesday evening, upon returning home and witnessing the prayers, he became enraged. After demanding identification from the priests, an argument ensued, prompting him to open fire with a licensed weapon.

Standoff and Resolution

After the murders, Arvind barricaded himself in a room with three children. The police surrounded the house and repeatedly urged him to surrender, but he continued to fire. The police eventually used stun grenades and tear gas to breach the premises. During the confrontation, both Arvind and his son were injured, and they later died in the hospital. Fortunately, two daughters were rescued safely.

In total, five lives were lost in this tragic event: the wife, two priests, the son, and the perpetrator himself. An investigation by the police is currently underway.