Tiger Shroff wasn't the original target; shooters wanted to kill another high-profile figure: Report
The alleged assassination attempt on Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff has taken a new turn, with sources telling NDTV that the actor was not the original target of the three shooters who opened fire at his car in Mumbai's Juhu area on Sunday evening.
According to NDTV's sources, interrogation of the accused revealed that they had initially travelled to Mumbai to assassinate another high-profile individual.
However, after surveying locations frequented by the person, they allegedly realised they would not be able to reach their intended target and decided to target Shroff instead.
Fan reels helped shooters track Tiger Shroff
The accused — Hrithik alias Roshan, 22, from Bihar, and Rehan, 18, and Phool Singh, 18, from Haryana — allegedly learnt through social media posts that Shroff did not have police protection.
“After checking out areas frequented by this individual, the shooters realised that they would not be able to get to the person. This was when they shifted their target to Tiger Shroff after learning — through reels posted by his fans — that the actor does not have police protection,” a source told NDTV.
The shooters subsequently monitored the Instagram accounts of Shroff and his fans to track his movements, sources said.
Their alleged intention was to spread fear within the film industry by killing the actor, the source added.
Seven rounds fired, gun jammed
The three accused allegedly fired seven rounds at Shroff's car as he was leaving after playing a football match in Juhu.
They reportedly intended to fire more shots, but one of the guns jammed.
Shroff and his driver sustained injuries but managed to escape from the scene.
Lawrence Bishnoi gang claims responsibility
Hours after the shooting, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack in an audio message.
A purported gang member identifying himself as Anil Pandit and describing himself as a younger brother of Lawrence Bishnoi said the actor had been targeted because he continued associating with Salman Khan despite being warned against it.
The speaker claimed that Shroff had been “counselled” but had failed to heed the warning. He also threatened other members of the film industry who worked with Salman Khan or did not align themselves with the gang.
The claims made in the audio message have not, in the supplied account, been independently established.
Shooters promised money, jobs abroad
Sources said the three accused had allegedly received an advance payment of Rs 50,000 and were promised additional money and jobs overseas after carrying out the attack.
After firing at Shroff's vehicle, the shooters reportedly informed their handlers that the operation had been completed.
The investigation has also drawn attention to the alleged links between organised crime and the Bollywood film industry.
Eknath Shinde assures action
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited Shroff at his residence on Monday and condemned the shooting, promising action against those responsible.
“Kisi ki bhi dadagiri Mumbai mein nahi chalegi,” Shinde said, asserting that intimidation and hooliganism would not be tolerated in the city. He also noted that Shroff's driver had sustained injuries in the incident.
Tiger Shroff with Maharashtra Dy CM Eknath Shinde. Photo: Screen-grab/X
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