A shocking new angle has emerged in the investigation into the firing incident involving Tiger Shroff, with police sources reportedly claiming that Aamir Khan was initially considered a target before the alleged shooters shifted their focus to the Heropanti actor.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the accused allegedly spent close to a month in Mumbai and conducted surveillance around Aamir Khan’s residence on at least three occasions. However, they reportedly struggled to find a suitable opportunity to approach the superstar, who was often away for film shoots or remained inside his home for extended periods.
Investigators suspect that the alleged shooters subsequently turned their attention to Tiger Shroff, whose regular Sunday football sessions at a park in Mumbai’s Juhu area may have made his movements easier to track.
The firing took place on October 18, when two men allegedly opened fire at Shroff’s car before escaping on a motorcycle. While the actor was reportedly relatively unharmed, his driver and a bystander sustained injuries.
Why Was Aamir Khan Allegedly Considered First?
The reported change in target has added a disturbing dimension to the case, particularly because Aamir Khan had reportedly received threats in July. Police sources cited by The Indian Express said the alleged plan involving Khan was consistent with the nature of those earlier threats, which were reportedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
However, the claims regarding Khan as the initial target remain part of the ongoing investigation and have not been established as proven facts.
According to investigators, the alleged shooters found it difficult to identify an opportunity to approach Khan and eventually focused on Shroff. Police are now examining the suspected network behind the attack and the people who may have helped plan and coordinate it.
Shooters Allegedly Received Updates During Their Escape
The investigation has also raised questions about how the accused were able to monitor police activity while attempting to flee.
According to sources quoted by PTI, the three alleged shooters received updates about the investigation through media coverage and encrypted internet-based messaging applications. These communications allegedly helped them adjust their movements as details of the attack began emerging publicly.
One message reportedly warned a suspect that their faces had appeared on television and instructed them to leave the location.
The accused have been identified as Phool Singh, 18, Rehan Rahisuddin Ansari, 18, and Rithik Mahto, 22. Kota Police apprehended them in Rajasthan on October 19 while they were travelling by train. They were later remanded to police custody until October 31.
Crime Branch sources have also pointed to digital evidence suggesting that Rehan was in frequent contact with other individuals through applications such as Signal or Zangi.
From Mumbai to Surat: How the Investigation Progressed
Police sources told PTI that information about the recovery of the motorcycle allegedly used in the attack, along with reports about the suspects’ movements, was passed on to them by their handlers.
The accused reportedly travelled using different modes of transport, including a motorcycle, train and cab. They allegedly planned to board a bus in Surat but changed their plans after encountering delays at the bus terminal. They were subsequently caught aboard another train following an alert from Mumbai Police.
Meanwhile, investigators recovered two firearms and 10 live cartridges in Surat. The weapons have reportedly been sent for ballistic and forensic examination to determine whether they were used in the Juhu shooting.
Mumbai Police said five to six rounds were fired during the October 18 incident. The motorcycle believed to have been used by the assailants was later discovered abandoned in Andheri.
Another Suspect Held as Arrest Count Reaches 11
In another development, 22-year-old Pranjal Thakran was apprehended in Indore during a joint operation involving the Mumbai Crime Branch and local police, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Dandotia told PTI.
Thakran, a resident of Sonipat in Haryana, had reportedly travelled to Indore for his paralysed brother’s treatment. Investigators suspect that he may have assisted the alleged shooters or other suspected conspirators by providing logistical, financial or operational support.
His apprehension took the reported number of people held in connection with the case to 11, with arrests and apprehensions reported across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.
Gangster Anil Pandit Also Under Police Scanner
Mumbai Police have named gangster Anil Pandit as a wanted accused in the case. Pandit, who is allegedly associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and is believed to be operating from the United States, reportedly claimed responsibility for the firing in a social media post, PTI reported.
As the probe continues, investigators are attempting to establish the alleged roles of the suspects, their handlers and others who may have facilitated the attack.
The reported claim that Aamir Khan was considered before Tiger Shroff remains one of the most significant emerging angles in the case. For the film industry, the incident has once again brought celebrity security into focus, while police continue to piece together the alleged conspiracy behind the Juhu shooting.
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