Tiger Shroff Firing Incident: Shooters Received Real-Time Investigation Updates from Handlers While Fleeing

The shooters allegedly involved in the October 18 firing incident targeting Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff were originally instructed to target actor Aamir Khan. However, after struggling to find an opportunity to approach Khan, the suspects altered their plans and directed their focus toward Shroff. According to media reports citing police sources, the alleged shooters spent nearly a month in Mumbai and conducted reconnaissance near Aamir Khan's residence at least three times. During their surveillance, they noticed that Khan was frequently away for outdoor film shoots or remained inside his house for days at a time. Finding Khan difficult to reach, they shifted their focus to Tiger Shroff, who was identified as an easier target due to his routine of visiting a park in Mumbai's Juhu area every Sunday to play football. The firing occurred at that location on October 18. While Shroff escaped unhurt, his driver and a bystander sustained injuries in the attack. Police sources noted that the initial plan to target Aamir Khan aligned with threats he had allegedly received in July from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Shooters Received Live News and App Updates While FleeingIn a separate disclosure, police sources told news agency PTI that the three alleged shooters received real-time updates about the ongoing investigation through media news coverage and encrypted messaging applications. According to Mumbai Crime Branch sources, this information helped the suspects adjust their escape strategy while on the run.When news channels broadcast images from the attack scene, one suspect reportedly received an urgent message stating: "Your faces are out, get out of there."The three suspects—identified as Phool Singh (18), Rehan Rahisuddin Ansari (18), and Ritik Mahto (22)—were apprehended on October 19 by Kota Police in Rajasthan while traveling on a train. They have since been remanded in police custody until October 31. Digital evidence revealed that Rehan was in regular contact with handlers using SIM-less internet messaging applications such as Signal or Zangi. Frequent Transport Changes During EscapeAccording to PTI, the alleged handlers relayed updates regarding the recovery of the motorcycle used in the attack in Andheri, as well as news coverage of the suspects' train travel. In response to these alerts, the accused changed their modes of transit multiple times, traveling via motorcycle, train, and taxi, with plans to catch a bus from Surat.Due to a delay at the Surat bus station, they boarded another train instead, where they were eventually intercepted by Kota Police following an alert issued by the Mumbai Police.The attack took place on the evening of October 18 in Juhu, when two individuals fired five to six rounds at Shroff’s vehicle before fleeing on a motorcycle. The two-wheeler was later found abandoned in Andheri.