New details have emerged in the October 18 firing incident outside actor Tiger Shroff’s residence, with police confirming that the alleged shooters had conducted reconnaissance at the homes of several other prominent Bollywood figures. Before targeting Shroff, the suspects reportedly surveyed the residences of Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, and Ranbir Kapoor.
The ongoing investigation has led to three more arrests, bringing the total number of accused held to 10. Police identified the two 18-year-old shooters as Phool Singh and Rehan Ansari, both of whom were allegedly recruited by the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Shroff Not Original Target, Tight Security Foiled Other Plans
Interrogation of the duo and their accomplice, Hritik Kumar alias Roshan Ramu Mahto, revealed that Tiger Shroff was not the gang’s initial target. According to police, plans to attack another individual were abandoned due to stringent security arrangements at that person’s location.
Singh and Ansari, both hailing from Haryana’s Sonipat district, had reportedly spent a month in Mumbai prior to the shooting. During this period, they moved between various lodges in Dadar and allegedly spent approximately ₹2 lakh, which included the purchase of the Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle used in the attack.
Preparations and Arrests
A week before the incident, the accused were seen visiting the Juhu football ground, an area where Shroff regularly plays. They reportedly received the pistols used in the attack on October 17 and practiced firing in a forested area. One weapon is said to have jammed and accidentally discharged while they attempted to repair it at their lodge, though this account is pending police verification.
The two shooters and their accomplice were apprehended in Kota, Rajasthan, while traveling on a train bound for New Delhi. They have since been brought to Mumbai and remanded to police custody until October 31. Authorities are still working to recover the firearms and the accused persons’ mobile phones.
Wider Network Implicated
The investigation has also led to arrests beyond the immediate perpetrators. Delhi Police previously arrested four alleged weapon suppliers and facilitators: Kunal Sanjay, Sumit Soraliya, Radha Verma, and Babita Rao. Following these, three more accused—Sameer, Jatin, and Ankit—were arrested in Sonipat, Haryana.
- Sameer is identified as an alleged co-conspirator, reportedly in contact with Anil Pandit, a key Bishnoi gang operative suspected of orchestrating the shooting.
- Jatin allegedly helped procure the pistols in Amritsar, arranged accommodation for the shooters, and facilitated their payment.
- Ankit was reportedly involved in logistics related to the operation.
Radha and Babita are accused of transporting the weapons to Mumbai and handing them over to the shooters. The three latest arrests from Sonipat were expected to be brought to Mumbai for further proceedings.