Source News 18
Heavy Security Spoiled the First Plan
In a major revelation, Mumbai Police have discovered that Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was the primary target of shooters linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang before they turned their focus toward actor Tiger Shroff.
According to investigators from the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, the gang had initially planned to strike near Khan’s Bandra residence. However, after inspecting the area, the shooters realized that the heavy police presence and multi-layered protection around the actor made an attack virtually impossible. The plan was quickly abandoned because any move against Khan carried an immediate risk of getting caught on the spot.
Salman Khan has been on the gang’s radar for years due to the 1998 blackbuck poaching case in Rajasthan, as the animal is considered sacred by the Bishnoi community. Following earlier firing incidents outside his home in April 2024, authorities significantly strengthened armed security and installed round-the-clock surveillance around his Galaxy Apartments residence.
Why Tiger Shroff Became the Next Choice
Faced with tight security around Salman Khan, the gang bosses looked for another prominent Bollywood name to create panic across the film industry. They soon shifted their attention to action star Tiger Shroff.
Investigators noted that Shroff maintained a modest profile in public and frequently moved around Mumbai without armed guards or police escorts. The shooters tracked his daily routine by monitoring social media posts, workout clips, and reels shared by the actor and his fans. For ten days, the suspects watched a playground in Juhu where Shroff frequently trained. An earlier plan to attack him on October 11 fell through when the actor did not visit the venue. Days later, shooters ambushed his car in Juhu and fired several rounds, injuring his driver.
Arrests Made on a Running Train
The police moved swiftly after examining mobile network data and surveillance footage around the Juhu crime scene. Three suspects—identified as Rehan Ansari (18), Phool Singh (18), and Hrithik Roshan (22)—were tracked down and arrested aboard the Pune-Jaipur Express in Kota, Rajasthan, while attempting to escape toward Nepal.
Police revealed that a gangster named Anil Pandit had coordinated the plot about two and a half months earlier. Pandit allegedly contacted the young recruits through social media platforms, promising them cash and help to start a new life abroad once the shooting was completed. Forensic teams recovered seven fired bullets from the spot, and ballistic tests are underway while teams work to recover the weapons.
Increased Vigilance Across Bollywood
The shooting has put the film fraternity on high alert. The Mumbai Police have launched a security audit for several top industry figures who have previously received threats from the Bishnoi syndicate, including filmmakers and actors like Rohit Shetty, Ranveer Singh, and Aamir Khan. Patrols and security coverage around celebrity residences and studios have also been reinforced to prevent further incidents.
