Blackbuck, threats and firing: How a 26-year-old hunting incident started a deadly rivalry between Salman Khan and Bishnoi gang

The Mumbai Police has apprehended the two individuals suspected of involvement in the gunfire incident outside Salman Khan's Bandra residence. Within a mere 48 hours of the alarming episode, law enforcement officials successfully tracked down the alleged shooters, identified as Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal.

Arrest and Suspected Affiliation:
The apprehension took place in Bhuj district, Gujarat, where a specialized crime branch team of the Mumbai Police executed the operation. Both individuals are believed to have ties to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a notorious criminal outfit implicated in previous threats against the Bollywood icon.


Legal Proceedings:
Following their capture, Gupta and Pal are currently being escorted to Mumbai for further interrogation and legal proceedings. They are slated to appear before a local court to determine custody arrangements, underscoring the swift and decisive action undertaken by law enforcement authorities.

The firing incident, which occurred at 4:51 am on Sunday, saw the assailants discharging five rounds at Salman Khan's residence. Forensic analysis of the scene revealed four empty shells and a live bullet, indicative of a potentially lethal encounter. Initial assessments suggest the use of a 7.6 bore weapon in the attack.

Modus Operandi and Trail:
Following the gunfire, the perpetrators hastily abandoned their motorcycle and purportedly sought refuge in an autorickshaw, eventually making their way to Bandra railway station. Surveillance footage corroborates their movements, with subsequent sightings at Santacruz railway station. Law enforcement efforts also led to the recovery of the abandoned motorcycle, shedding light on the assailants' premeditated reconnaissance activities.

Why is Salman Khan being threatened by gangsters?

Latest Threat Incident
The assailants, donning helmets, fired five rounds around 5 am, prompting immediate police intervention. Mumbai authorities swiftly registered a First Information Report (FIR) and initiated a thorough investigation into the matter.

Previous Threats and Incidents
This recent incident adds to a string of security concerns haunting the Bollywood icon in recent years. In March 2023, Salman Khan's manager received a threatening email attributed to incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his associate Goldy Brar. The communication, purportedly from Mohit Garg, urged the actor to meet Brar, referencing a previous death threat issued by Bishnoi.

Moreover, in June 2022, a threat letter ominously hinted at dire consequences similar to the fate of singer Sidhu Moosewala, allegedly at the hands of the Bishnoi gang. Notably, the gang's enmity towards Salman Khan stems from the 1998 blackbuck poaching case during the shooting of "Hum Saath-Saath Hain" in Rajasthan, a matter of deep reverence for the Bishnoi community.

Lawrence Bishnoi, a notorious figure in Punjab's criminal landscape, has long fixated on Salman Khan due to his alleged involvement in the aforementioned case. Bishnoi's menacing overtures extend beyond personal vendetta, serving as a means to bolster his gang's notoriety and extract protection payments.

Security Measures and Responses:
In response to escalating threats, the Mumbai Police granted Salman Khan a firearm license for self-defense in August 2022. Subsequently, the Maharashtra government upgraded his security to the Y plus category in November 2022, augmenting both mobile and static protection details.

Despite concerted security efforts, the specter of danger looms large over Salman Khan, exemplified by the recent attack outside his residence. As law enforcement agencies intensify their scrutiny, the actor remains embroiled in a precarious battle to safeguard his well-being amidst persistent threats and targeted intimidation.