Teacher shot dead at AMU campus in late evening attack

A computer science teacher was shot dead in a chilling late-night attack inside the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) campus on December 24, triggering alarm over security at one of the country’s premier educational institutions.

Danish Rao, who had been teaching at the ABK High School on the AMU campus for the past 11 years, was out for an evening walk with two colleagues when two men on a scooter stopped them around 8.50 pm. The assailants threatened the group at gunpoint before opening fire.

Police said Rao was shot at least three times, including twice in the head. Just before firing, one of the gunmen allegedly told him, “You don’t know me yet, now you will.”

Rao was rushed to the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College but was declared dead on arrival. The shooting took place near the university’s central library, a key area within the campus.

Senior Superintendent of Police Neeraj Jadon confirmed that both attackers fired at Rao and fled the scene. Six police teams have been formed to investigate the case, and CCTV footage from the campus and surrounding areas is being examined to identify the killers.

AMU Proctor Mohd Wasim Ali said the university was informed shortly after the incident. “Around 9 pm, we received information that a man had been shot near the library and was being taken for treatment. We later learned he was Danish Rao, a teacher at ABK School. He was shot in the head and died at the medical college,” he said.

The murder came hours after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed in the state Assembly that the state had witnessed a marked improvement in law and order.

“An atmosphere of security is essential for every person. Today, people can say that investment is coming to Uttar Pradesh because of the improved security environment,” the Chief Minister said earlier on Wednesday.

The killing of a teacher inside a university campus has left students and staff shaken, as police continue their search for the attackers.