Contract to kill Salman Khan: In a plot to assassinate Bollywood superstar Salman Khan for a contract worth Rs 25 lakh was detailed in a chargesheet filed by the Navi Mumbai Police. The plan involved targeting Khan near his farmhouse in Panvel, Maharashtra.Contract taken by Lawrence Bishnois gangAccording to the chargesheet, the hit was orchestrated by a gang led by the jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Five individuals have been named in the case. The gang sought to procure advanced weaponry, including AK-47s, AK-92s, and M-16s from Pakistan, as well as a Turkish-made Zigana weapon, the same type used in the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. The conspirators recruited underage boys, hiding in Pune, Raigad, Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Gujarat, to carry out the assassination.Surveillance and planningA team of 60 to 70 individuals had been monitoring Salman Khans movements, especially around his Bandra home, Panvel farmhouse, and Goregaon Film City. The conspiracy was allegedly plotted between August 2023 and April 2024.Sukkha, an arrested gang member from Panipat, assigned the assassination task to designated shooter Ajay Kashyap, alias AK, and four others. Their reconnaissance revealed that Salmans heightened security and bulletproof vehicles required high-end firearms to complete the mission.Arms deal with PakistanThe accused gang contacted Pakistan-based arms dealer Dogar via video call to negotiate the weapons deal. During the call, Dogar displayed an AK-47 wrapped in a shawl. The gang agreed to pay 50% upfront and the remainder upon delivery in India.Escape plan and further investigationThe shooters had a well-thought-out escape plan. After killing Salman Khan, they intended to regroup in Kanyakumari and flee to Sri Lanka by boat, avoiding Indian law enforcement.The assassination plot was uncovered during an investigation into a shooting outside Salman Khans Bandra home. Following the recent killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique, security around Khans Bandra residence has been intensified.
