Was Salman Khan the primary target? New details emerge regarding the shooting incident involving Tiger Shroff’s car.

The Mumbai Police have uncovered new information during their investigation into the shooting incident involving Tiger Shroff’s car. Sources close to the investigation claim that the assailants initially conducted surveillance around Salman Khan’s residence in Bandra. It is believed that, due to tight security, they altered their plans and targeted Tiger Shroff instead. The police have not yet confirmed whether Salman Khan was the primary intended target.

Security concerns surrounding Bollywood star Salman Khan have resurfaced. The investigation into the shooting incident involving Tiger Shroff’s car revealed that the suspects had visited the vicinity of several other celebrities' homes in Mumbai. The police are currently examining who else might have been on their list of potential targets.

Meanwhile, following reports of gunfire at filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s residence and threats directed at actor Ranveer Singh, this attack on Tiger Shroff’s vehicle has sparked renewed anxiety regarding the safety of Bollywood stars.

How ​​the shooting at Tiger Shroff’s car unfolded

Last Sunday evening (October 18), shots were fired at Tiger Shroff’s car in the Juhu area of ​​Mumbai. The incident occurred while the actor was returning from playing football. According to the police, two of the three suspects—who arrived on a motorcycle—opened fire.

While Tiger Shroff remained unharmed, his driver and an auto-rickshaw driver sustained injuries. The suspects fled the scene on their motorcycle.

As part of the investigation, the police conducted raids across Mumbai and several other Indian states. By Thursday, 10 individuals had been arrested. Among them, three suspected assailants—Rehan Ansari, Phul Singh, and Ritwik—have been remanded to police custody until October 31.

What the police have learned regarding Salman Khan

According to reports from NDTV and India Today, the suspects initially arrived in Mumbai and scouted the area around Salman Khan’s residence, Galaxy Apartments, in Bandra. Investigators believe the suspects may have changed their plans after noticing the presence of police and armed security personnel at the location.

Subsequently, they shifted their focus to Tiger Shroff. Based on videos posted on social media by the actor and his fans, the suspects learned that Tiger regularly visits a ground in Juhu to play football. Sources close to the investigation claim that the suspects believed security arrangements at the location were relatively lax.

According to a report by *The Times of India*, the area around the ground had been under surveillance for at least 10 days prior to the attack. The suspects even visited the site on October 11, but the attack did not take place as Tiger did not show up. Subsequently, on October 18, shots were fired at his vehicle.

A report by *The Indian Express* states that, during their time in Mumbai, the three suspects also visited the vicinity of the residences of Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh, in addition to that of Salman Khan. The police are currently investigating whether these stars were specifically targeted or if there was another reason for their presence in those areas.

Investigators claim that the suspects would search for the celebrities' home addresses on Google and then travel to the respective locations by auto-rickshaw or motorcycle. Interrogations are underway to determine the motives behind their movements and to identify any other potential targets.

However, the police have not yet officially concluded that Salman Khan was the primary target of the attack.

Investigation into the Source of Weapons and Financial Transactions

The police have uncovered a network involved in the supply of weapons and the handling of financial transactions related to the attack. According to *The Indian Express*, a firearm was procured in Amritsar and transported to Delhi. It is alleged that two women, identified as Radha Verma and Babita Rao, later delivered the weapon to Mumbai.

Investigators believe that several individuals played distinct roles in the procurement and supply of the weapons. It is also suspected that a specific method was employed during the handover of the weapons to ensure that the individuals involved remained unaware of each other's identities.

The police are also tracing the source of the funds. According to *The Times of India*, investigators have uncovered evidence that approximately 200,000 rupees reached the attackers and their associates. The police claim that 25,000 rupees from this amount were used to purchase a used motorcycle. A portion of the funds was also transferred digitally. The police suspect that the weapons used in the attack have been discarded. In addition to efforts to recover these weapons, investigators are working to gather information regarding the communications of the accused. Investigators also claim that several mobile phones linked to the incident have been destroyed.

Police investigating potential links to the Bishnoi gang

The police are examining the possible role of an individual named Anil Pandit in the planning of the attack. It is alleged that he has connections to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The investigation has also brought up the name of Shubham Lonkar, who is known to be associated with the same gang.

Following the shooting incident involving Tiger’s vehicle, an audio message began circulating on social media. In the recording, an individual identifying himself as Anil Pandit purportedly claims responsibility for the attack. Reports indicate that the message also contained threats directed at those who work with Salman.

However, the authenticity of the audio message and the identity of the speaker have not been independently verified. The police are continuing their investigation to determine how the alleged planners communicated with the attackers and what their motives were.

Security tightened at Salman’s residence

Concerns regarding Salman’s safety have intensified following these new developments. According to an NDTV report, special commandos equipped with advanced submachine guns have been deployed outside his residence, Galaxy Apartments. Surveillance in the surrounding area has also been increased.

Salman was already provided with 'Y+' category security, which includes an armed police escort whenever he travels.

When he attends any event, the local police also arrange for additional security.

Security concerns surrounding the actor are not new; he has long reported receiving threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

On April 14, 2024, shots were fired outside Salman’s 'Galaxy Apartments' in Bandra. On October 12 of the same year, Baba Siddique—a former Maharashtra minister known to be close to Salman—was shot dead in Mumbai. The Bishnoi gang was alleged to be involved in these incidents as well.

Security Concerns Regarding Bollywood Stars

Prior to the incident involving Tiger Shroff, reports emerged of gunfire at the residence of filmmaker Rohit Shetty and extortion threats directed at actor Ranveer Singh. Subsequently, the discovery of suspicious individuals moving around the homes of several other stars has heightened security concerns within Bollywood.

Actor Manoj Bajpayee has also weighed in, noting that the film industry has long been an easy target for criminal syndicates. However, he added that law enforcement agencies are taking the necessary steps to address the situation.

The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is continuing its investigation into the shooting incident involving Tiger Shroff’s vehicle. In addition to questioning suspects, tracing the origin of the weapons, and verifying financial transactions, authorities are also examining whether there were any plans to target other celebrities.

Until the investigation concludes, security concerns surrounding Salman Khan and several other Bollywood stars will persist.