Mukhtar Ansari associate Shoaib ‘Bobby’ Kidwai shot dead on Lucknow–Ayodhya highway

A history-sheeter associated with slain gangster Mukhtar Ansari, named Shoaib Kidwai alias Bobby, was shot dead in broad daylight in Barabanki on Friday (February 13, 2026) afternoon.

The incident took place near the Aseni turn on the Lucknow–Ayodhya highway under Barabanki district’s Kotwali police station.

The deceased, who faces multiple cases, was travelling in a sedan car from Lucknow to Barabanki when motorcycle-borne assailants intercepted his vehicle shortly after it descended from the highway.

Barabanki Superintendent of Police (SP) Arpit Vijayvargiya and other senior district police officers arrived at the crime scene and began collecting evidence.

The Barabanki police, in a statement, said special teams have been formed to nab the assailants. The Special Operations Group (SOG) team is also looking into the matter along with the forensic units. The Barabanki police added that CCTV footage from nearby areas is being scanned and the district is put under high alert.