Firing At Salman Khan's Mumbai Home By Lawrence Bishnoi Gang: Sources

The recent firing incident outside Bollywood star Salman Khan’s residence in Mumbai has brought to light serious security concerns and the involvement of a notorious gang in the attempt. The incident occurred on Sunday when two men were caught on CCTV shooting outside Mr. Khan’s residence in Galaxy Apartments, Bandra.

The suspects, identified as Vishal and his associate, are believed to hail from Gurugram, Haryana, and are associated with the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Vishal, in particular, is linked to the gang member Rohit Godara, who has a history of violent crimes. Vishal is also wanted in connection with the murder of Gurugram-based businessman Sachin Munjal in March.

CCTV footage captured the two men, dressed in casual attire and carrying backpacks, as they fired gunshots toward Mr. Khan’s residence. Following the incident, the suspects abandoned their motorcycle—suspected to have been stolen—near Mount Mary Church in Bandra. They then took a rickshaw to Bandra railway station and have since fled the city.

Police have been investigating the incident and have managed to recover the suspects’ two-wheeler located a little over a kilometer from Mr. Khan’s home. In a worrying development, Anmol Bishnoi, the brother of Lawrence Bishnoi, claimed responsibility for the shooting in an online post, referring to it as a “preview” and issuing a veiled warning to Salman Khan.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has reached out to the Bollywood star to offer assurances of complete support and to maintain law and order. Security around Mr. Khan’s residence has been tightened, and Mumbai Police have raised his security status to Y+ following earlier threats made against him.

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has been known for its violent activities and threats against public figures. Bishnoi himself has cited Mr. Khan’s involvement in the 1998 blackbuck hunting incident as a source of offense to the Bishnoi community. Previously, the gang’s henchman Sampat Nehra was reportedly planning a potential attack on Mr. Khan but was arrested by the Haryana Police Special Task Force.

Additionally, in April 2023, a lookout circular was issued against an Indian student residing in the United Kingdom for allegedly sending a threatening email to Mr. Khan. The incident adds yet another layer of complexity and danger to the situation.

This incident underscores the ongoing threats facing Salman Khan and the broader security challenges in the country due to the presence of organized crime groups. It serves as a reminder of the necessity for heightened vigilance and security measures to protect high-profile individuals from targeted attacks.