TahirFuego, The Shotgun King of Indian Free Fire, Dies at 24

The Indian gaming ecosystem woke up to devastating news on January 31, 2026. Tahir Mukhtar, known to millions online as TahirFuego or the “Shotgun King”, passed away at the age of 24. What began as whispers from a bootcamp late at night soon turned into a collective moment of grief for the country’s esports fraternity. Found in critical condition; police are probing whether the death was due to suicide or an accidental injury.”

What happened at the GodLike bootcamp

According to early reports, Tahir was found in a critical condition around midnight at the GodLike Esports bootcamp. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and placed on a ventilator. Despite medical intervention, he succumbed shortly after.

As of now, authorities have not released an official medical or police report detailing the exact cause of death. While some unverified claims circulated online, no confirmation has been issued by law enforcement or medical authorities. GodLike Esports acknowledged the loss in a public statement, offering condolences to Tahir’s family and asking for privacy during the investigation.

A career that grew with Indian Free Fire

Tahir’s journey mirrored the rise of Garena Free Fire in India. When the game exploded in popularity after its 2017 launch, Tahir emerged as one of its most fearless competitors.

He first made waves with Nigma Galaxy before joining GodLike Esports, where his aggressive playstyle, lightning-fast rotations and clutch shotgun fights earned him cult status. His competitive highlights include:

• 1st place at Rumble in the Jungle Week 2
• 3rd place at Villager Esports Winter Masters
• 3rd place at Booyah Open 2021
• A strong run at Free Fire India Championship 2021 Fall

Even after stepping back from full-time competition, Tahir remained deeply connected to the community as a content creator, regularly engaging fans and younger players who looked up to him as proof that mobile gaming could become a serious career.

“Shotgun King” and a fan favourite

On Instagram, where he had nearly half a million followers, Tahir described himself simply: gamer, creator, servant of Allah. To fans, he was much more. Calm under pressure, disciplined in practice, and known for never losing his composure in high-stakes moments, he embodied the competitive hunger of India’s new-age esports generation.

Tributes poured in from across the gaming world. Top creators, teammates, rivals and organisations flooded comment sections with “Om Shanti”, “RIP King” and broken-heart emojis. Some posts reflected disbelief, others grief, and many raised difficult questions about player welfare and mental health in high-pressure bootcamp environments.

Community reaction and unanswered questions

The absence of official clarity has left fans uneasy. Comment sections across platforms show a mix of mourning and concern, with users demanding transparency while urging restraint against speculation. Several creators used the moment to remind followers about mental health awareness, support systems and the importance of checking in on teammates beyond gameplay.

At the same time, many stressed that Tahir should be remembered first for what he built, not how he was lost.

A wider moment for Indian esports

TahirFuego’s passing has become more than a single tragedy. It has sparked conversations around burnout, isolation, and the intense expectations placed on young esports professionals in India’s fast-growing gaming economy. As regional communities, creators and organisations continue to scale rapidly, the industry is being forced to confront the human cost behind highlight reels and trophies.

Remembering TahirFuego

At just 24, Tahir Mukhtar had already carved out a legacy that many spend lifetimes chasing. From Kashmir to national tournaments, from bootcamp grind to global recognition, his journey inspired thousands of aspiring gamers who believed skill and discipline could change their lives.

As investigations continue and the noise settles, one truth remains unchanged: Indian esports lost one of its brightest stars far too soon.