Gurgaon: A mobile phone recovered from the scene of Thursday night’s encounter in Sushant Lok 1 has given police what investigators call one of the strongest pieces of evidence in the failed contract killing case — a video allegedly shot by the attackers as they opened fire on a businessman’s house.The footage, retrieved with help from ballistic and forensic experts, shows the shooters pointing their weapons at the house and firing indiscriminately, while one of the five accused records the attack on his phone. Investigators said the video was meant to be sent to fugitive gangster Deepak Nandal, who allegedly orchestrated the operation from abroad — proof that the assignment had been executed, after which the shooters were to receive their final payment.Before the video could be sent, however, crime branch teams already lying in wait on an intelligence tip surrounded the shooters and called on them to surrender. The footage also captures the arrival of crime branch personnel at the spot even as the attackers kept firing at the house.“It was a live encounter. Had police reached even a little later, there could have been casualties among innocent people inside the house and in the neighbourhood. The video has become crucial evidence because it establishes that the shooters had reached the spot with an intention to kill, not merely to issue a warning,” an investigator said.The businessman was not home at the time of the attack. His wife, relatives and domestic staff were inside but escaped unhurt despite bullets piercing windows and walls. Police have since provided him permanent security.Investigators are preparing to question 22-year-old Shivam, the lone surviving member of the five-member gang. A resident of Nuh, Shivam underwent surgery for a bullet injury to his stomach sustained in the exchange of fire with police. Doctors told police on Saturday that the surgery was successful and he is out of danger. He will be questioned once declared fit to give a statement.Police believe Shivam can provide key leads on the conspiracy — who assigned the shooters, how they travelled to Gurgaon, their movements before the attack, and the communication network used by the gang.Investigators are also probing how the shooters procured their firearms. Sources said Shivam does not appear to have direct knowledge of the weapons’ origin. The pistols recovered are believed to be semi-automatic firearms made by Chinese defence company Norinco, adding a possible international arms-smuggling angle to the case.
