Salman Khan Was Shooters’ First Target, Security Tightened After Tiger Shroff Firing
Actor Salman Khan was allegedly the original target of the shooters involved in the firing at actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai’s Juhu area on October 18, according to police sources.
Investigators suspect that the accused had conducted reconnaissance outside Khan’s Galaxy Apartments residence in Bandra but abandoned the plan after noticing the heavy security there.
They allegedly shifted their focus to Shroff, whom they believed would be easier to target. The claims are being investigated by the Mumbai Crime Branch.
Manhunt Intensifies In Tiger Shroff Firing Case
Following the incident, security has been increased around the homes of several Bollywood personalities, including Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan, and filmmaker Rohit Shetty.
Armed personnel and additional police patrols have been deployed in sensitive areas.
Bulletproof glass shields at Khan’s residence are being upgraded, while similar protective glass is being installed at Kumar’s Juhu home.
Police vehicles have also been stationed near the residences of Khan and Shetty, and patrols around Aamir Khan’s home have been intensified. Tiger Shroff has also been provided police protection.
The firing took place around 7 pm on October 18, when three men on a motorcycle allegedly fired several rounds at Shroff’s car as he was leaving a football ground in Juhu.
The actor escaped serious injury, while his driver and a bystander were injured. The attackers fled the scene, abandoning their motorcycle during their escape.
Three suspects, identified as Rehan, Phool Singh and Ritik Kurmi alias Roshan, were later arrested in Rajasthan’s Kota. They have been remanded to police custody until October 31.
Investigators are also examining whether the accused visited the residential buildings of other actors, including Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh, as part of their alleged reconnaissance.
Police have not established whether these celebrities were specifically named as targets or whether the visits were made for other reasons.
Amitabh Bachchan and other prominent film personalities have also been mentioned in reports about the wider investigation, but the exact scope of the alleged hit list remains unclear.
The investigation has widened following the arrest of additional suspects accused of helping transport weapons and coordinate the attack.
Four people, including two women identified as Radha Verma and Babita Rao, were arrested in connection with the alleged weapons supply network.
Police suspect that a pistol and ammunition were collected from a pre-arranged location in Amritsar using a method known as a “dead drop”, in which weapons are left at a location for another person to collect.
The firearm was allegedly transported to Mumbai by the women before being handed over to others involved in the plot.
Investigators are also probing the alleged role of Anil Pandit, a US-based handler suspected of communicating with members of the network through encrypted messaging applications.
Police allege that he helped coordinate the operation and arrange payments to those involved. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the firing in a message circulated on social media, which also carried threats against people working with Salman Khan.
Police are investigating the authenticity of the claims and the extent of the gang’s involvement.
(With inputs from agencies)
