Kashmiri esports professional Tahir Mukhtar, popularly known as “TahirFuego”, died at the age of 24 on January 31, 2026, leaving India’s gaming and esports community in shock. Tahir was a professional Free Fire player associated with GodLike Esports, one of the country’s leading esports organisations.
According to early reports, Tahir was found in a critical condition late at night at the GodLike Esports bootcamp. The incident reportedly occurred around midnight, after which he was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. Doctors placed him on ventilator support, but despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
The exact circumstances surrounding the incident have not yet been officially detailed, and further information is awaited.
GodLike Esports confirmed Tahir’s death in a statement posted on social media. “Rest in Peace Tahir. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during these difficult times. May his soul rest in peace,” the organisation said.
TahirFuego was widely regarded as a talented and dedicated player in the Free Fire competitive scene. Free Fire, a free-to-play battle royale game developed by Garena for mobile platforms, rose to global popularity after its release in 2017, and Tahir quickly made a name for himself in the professional circuit.
He began his esports journey with teams such as Nigma Galaxy before later joining GodLike Esports. Over the years, Tahir competed in several major tournaments and earned recognition for his consistent performances. His teams secured third-place finishes at the Villager Esports Winter Masters and the Booyah Open 2021. He also had a strong run at the Free Fire India Championship 2021 Fall.
Following the news of his death, tributes poured in from fellow gamers, esports professionals, and fans across social media, many describing Tahir as a humble player with immense potential whose life was cut tragically short.
