Police Say Aamir Khan Was the Shooters’ First Target

The shooters who fired at actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Juhu had first targeted actor Aamir Khan, Mumbai Police say. Investigators believe the men watched Khan’s home for weeks, then changed plans because they could not predict when he would leave. Police say the attack on Shroff was not the original plan. ^3,4

The plan began with visits to the area around Khan’s home, which police sources say the suspects checked at least three times. They travelled from Haryana to Mumbai in September and reportedly looked at other actors’ homes, too. Khan was often away filming or stayed inside for days, investigators say. Shroff, by contrast, regularly played football on Sundays at a Juhu ground. On October 18, two men allegedly fired at his car as he left; his driver was hurt, but Shroff had no bullet injuries. ^5,13

The driver’s injury is part of a case that now reaches beyond the men accused of the shooting. Police have arrested 11 people, including 22-year-old Pranjal Thakral, whom they accuse of arranging money and weapons for the alleged attackers. They say he was in contact with Anil Pandit, a suspected handler believed to be outside India. Thakral’s lawyer denies he was involved. Police are checking phone messages and money transfers to test their claims and map who planned and supported the attack. ^2,6,9

Those claims matter because police suspect the plan may be linked to threats made against Khan in July by people claiming ties to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. That link is not confirmed: reports describe it as a lead in the investigation, not proof of who ordered the shooting. The attack has also led to tighter security around actor Salman Khan’s home. Thakral remains in police custody until October 31, while investigators examine messages, weapons and money. ^5,7,8