Salman Khan Was Original Target in Mumbai Shooting Plot, Tiger Shroff Targeted Later: Report NDTV
Mumbai: Bollywood actor Salman Khan was reportedly the original target of a planned attack before the suspects shifted their focus to actor Tiger Shroff after finding heavy security outside Khan’s residence, according to an NDTV report.
The development emerged during the investigation into a shooting incident targeting Shroff in Mumbai’s Juhu area. Police sources cited by NDTV said the suspects had conducted reconnaissance at Khan’s Galaxy Apartments residence but abandoned their plan after observing the extensive security deployment.
The report said the suspects subsequently surveyed locations associated with several Bollywood actors, including Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan, before allegedly selecting Shroff as their target.
According to the report, two gunmen opened fire on Sunday at around 7 p.m. as Shroff was leaving Pushpa Narsee Ground in Juhu. They allegedly fired seven rounds before fleeing on a motorcycle, which they later abandoned near Andheri West railway station. The suspects then reportedly boarded a train bound for Jaipur.
Police arrested three men on Monday in connection with the incident. The accused were identified as Hrithik, alias Roshan, 22, Rehan, 18, and Phool Singh, 18. One is reportedly from Begusarai in Bihar, while the other two are from Sonipat in Haryana.
During questioning, the suspects allegedly told investigators that they had travelled to Mumbai to kill a prominent individual. Police sources identified that person as Salman Khan, according to NDTV.
Investigators believe the suspects had arrived in Mumbai around 20 days before the shooting. The report said they first conducted reconnaissance at the Juhu ground on October 11, although Shroff was not present that day. They allegedly obtained firearms on October 17 before carrying out the attack the following Sunday.
The suspects reportedly monitored Shroff’s social media accounts and videos posted by his fans to gather information about his movements and security arrangements. An auto-rickshaw driver allegedly told them that the actor regularly visited the ground to play football. The report said the suspects viewed Shroff as a comparatively accessible target because he did not have police security accompanying him.
The firearms used in the shooting were reportedly a combination of Indian-made and foreign-made pistols. Investigators are searching for the weapons, which the accused allegedly discarded while fleeing.
Security around Khan has reportedly been strengthened following the incident, with specialized commandos and Mumbai Police personnel deployed for his protection.
Separately, Anil Pandit, described in the report as an associate of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack in an audio message circulated on social media. In the message, he reportedly said Shroff had previously been warned and issued threats against people in the film industry who worked with Khan or refused to reach an understanding with the group.
The claims regarding the alleged plot and the audio message have been attributed to the NDTV report. The allegations against the arrested suspects have not been established in court.
