Police investigating the October 18 firing at actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai are examining reports that the alleged attackers first planned to target Aamir Khan, The Times of India reported, citing The Indian Express and police reports.
None of these claims has been tested in court, and the suspects have not been charged for any plan against Aamir Khan.
Why the target reportedly changed
The alleged shooters reportedly spent nearly a month in Mumbai watching Aamir Khan's movements and went near his home at least three times. His frequent travel for shoots and long spells at home allegedly made him hard to approach.
They then turned to Tiger Shroff, who reportedly played football at a park in Juhu on most Sundays, according to the report. The firing took place there. Police sources reportedly linked the alleged plan against Aamir Khan to threats he received in July, attributed to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Handlers on encrypted apps
Investigators suspect the three alleged shooters got real-time updates on the police hunt from handlers using encrypted internet calling and messaging apps, PTI reported, citing police. When TV channels showed footage of the suspects, one of them allegedly received a warning in Hindi telling them their faces were out and they should leave.
The handlers also reportedly told them that the motorcycle used in the attack had been found in Andheri. The three switched between a motorcycle, trains and a cab while trying to escape. Kota Police in Rajasthan arrested them on a train on October 19 after an alert from Mumbai Police. They are aged 18 to 22.
What happened on October 18
At least two men fired five to six rounds at Tiger Shroff's car in Juhu before escaping on a motorcycle, police said. Shroff escaped largely unhurt, but his driver and a bystander were injured. Investigators later recovered two firearms and 10 live cartridges in Surat, which have been sent for ballistic tests.
Eleven held so far
The Mumbai Crime Branch and local police have also detained a 22-year-old man from Sonipat in Indore. Police suspect he gave the alleged shooters financial or logistical help. That takes the number of people held to 11, across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.
Mumbai Police have reportedly named gangster Anil Pandit as a wanted accused. Pandit, an alleged associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang believed to be operating from the US, claimed responsibility for the firing in a social media post, according to the report. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act, and the Crime Branch is investigating the alleged conspiracy and how the weapons were obtained.