Actor Tiger Shroff was allegedly not the original target of the three shooters, who are reported to be members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. As per the latest reports, the shooters were reportedly targeting Bollywood superstar, Salman Khan, but allegedly abandoned their plans owing to the security arrangements at his residence.
Salman Khan and not Tiger Shroff was original target
According to reports in various news publications, the three shooters involved in Sunday’s firing incident in Mumbai’s Juhu area had reportedly conducted a recce at Khan’s home in Bandra. However, the security arrangements there reportedly discouraged them from carrying out the planned attack.On the look out for a comparatively easier target, the attackers allegedly monitored Tiger Shroff’s movements through his Instagram account, as well as posts and videos shared by his fans, according to sources cited by IANS. The shooters reportedly watched the actor making his exit, before opening fire as his car.The incident took place on a busy Sunday evening and was captured on video. Tiger, the son of veteran actor Jackie Shroff, escaped relatively unhurt, however, his driver and a bystander sustained injuries.
Accused arrested in Rajasthan
Following the firing, the accused reportedly fled to Surat in Gujarat before boarding a train to Jaipur. Their alleged plan was to travel to New Delhi by bus and then escape to Nepal. However, Mumbai Police arrested three accused in Rajasthan’s Kota in connection with the case.Two of the arrested men have been identified as Ritik, alias Roshan, from Begusarai in Bihar, and Rehan from Sonipat in Haryana. Police have registered a case under charges of attempted murder and relevant provisions of the Arms Act.According to police sources, Rehan was in contact with Anil Pandit, an alleged associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Following the incident, a social media post and an audio message from individuals claiming links to the gang surfaced, with the group allegedly claiming responsibility for the firing. The messages reportedly demanded an apology from Salman Khan to the Bishnoi community and threatened people associated with the actor.
Salman Khan-Lawrence Bishnoi dispute
The long-running hostility between Salman Khan and Lawrence Bishnoi is linked to the 1998 blackbuck poaching case in Rajasthan. The Bishnoi community considers the blackbuck sacred, and Salman has faced repeated threats over the years, including a firing incident outside his Bandra residence in April 2024.
Anup Jalota says apology could end hostility
Meanwhile, singer Anup Jalota has said that Salman Khan should apologise to the Bishnoi community to help bring an end to the ongoing hostility. Speaking to IANS, Jalota said, “I am very saddened by this. There is only one way to stop all this. Salman Khan should apologize to the Bishnoi community.”He added, “I have said this before. It is very important that the Bishnoi community, which has been hurt, should be apologized to otherwise, the Bishnoi community will continue to be hurt. Those who work with Salman Khan will be hurt, their families will also be hurt.”Jalota further urged Salman to take a firm decision to resolve the matter. “So, why not make a firm decision to apologize to the Bishnoi community to end this all? This is what I want.”
