Firing at Salman Khan's home: It all started from US, executed in Mumbai, check timeline
PTC News Desk: The recent shooting incident outside Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai's Bandra has unfolded with elements akin to a crime thriller plot. The attack, which occurred around 5 am on Sunday, involved two individuals on a motorcycle firing four rounds before swiftly escaping the scene.
This meticulously planned operation has drawn parallels to a Hollywood movie, with its origins traced back to the United States. The perpetrators, equipped with professional skills and armed with weapons stashed across various Indian states, executed the assault outside Galaxy Apartments, where the Bollywood actor resides.
Surveillance footage captured from the area depicts the assailants wearing caps and carrying backpacks, moments before they discharged their firearms towards Khan's residence. One suspect was clad in a white t-shirt paired with a black jacket and denim pants, while the other wore a red t-shirt with denim pants.
Police investigations have revealed that both individuals are affiliated with the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Bishnoi himself is currently incarcerated in Tihar Jail, implicated in numerous high-profile murder cases, including those involving musician Sidhu Moosewala and Rajput leader and Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi.
How The Plot Was Hatched
The intricate details of the plot behind the shooting incident targeting Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai reveal a web of international connections and criminal networks.
The origin of the scheme can be traced back to the United States, where Anmol Bishnoi, the brother of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, delegated the task of recruiting shooters to Rohit Godara, another criminal figure operating in the US. Godara's reputation for managing a vast network of professional shooters across several Indian states likely influenced this decision, according to police sources.
Anmol Bishnoi publicly claimed responsibility for the attack through a Facebook post. However, investigators discovered that the IP address associated with the post originated from Canada, raising suspicions of the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to conceal the true location.
Godara's significant role within the Bishnoi gang is underscored by his involvement in previous high-profile criminal cases, including the Raju Theth murder case in Rajasthan and the Gogamedi murder case.
The Bishnoi gang is known to maintain a stockpile of weapons strategically stored in various locations across multiple states, facilitating easy access for their criminal activities. Investigators suspect that Godara facilitated the provision of weapons to the shooters through his network of associates in India.
Vishal, alias Kalu, emerged as a prime candidate for carrying out the attack, given his prior involvement in violent incidents orchestrated by Godara. Vishal is also wanted in connection with the murder of Gurugram-based businessman Sachin Munjal in March, a crime to which Godara allegedly confessed through a social media post.
To execute their plan, Vishal and his accomplice acquired a second-hand motorcycle from Raigad district and traveled to Mumbai from Panvel. Authorities are currently interrogating individuals regarding the sale of this motorcycle.
Notably, on the morning of the attack, the police vehicle typically stationed outside Salman Khan's residence was conspicuously absent, adding to the suspicion surrounding the incident.
Law enforcement agencies from five states - Maharashtra, Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab - have launched a coordinated effort to apprehend all individuals involved in the plot, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Salman Khan's ongoing security concerns
Salman Khan, a prominent figure in Bollywood, has been the subject of numerous threats and security measures over the years.
Last year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) disclosed that Khan was at the top of a list of 10 primary targets marked for elimination by incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. This decision stemmed from Khan's involvement in the infamous 1998 black buck hunting incident, which was perceived as offensive by the Bishnoi community.
In response to heightened security risks, Mumbai Police upgraded Khan's security status to Y following a threat call received on April 11 of the previous year. Presently, the Y security detail is under review. Khan is accompanied by a team of eleven security personnel at all times, including one or two commandos and two Personal Security Officers (PSOs). Additionally, his vehicle is flanked by two accompanying vehicles, one in the front and one behind, all of which are fully bulletproof.
Moreover, an Indian student based in the United Kingdom was subject to a lookout circular (LOC) for allegedly sending a threatening email to Khan.
The case has attracted the attention of various law enforcement agencies, including the Crime Branch of Mumbai Police, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). While initially handled by the local police, the case was later transferred to the crime branch. However, there has been no formal request or communication regarding the transfer of the case to either the ATS or the NIA.
- With inputs from agencies
