Mumbai: Pune resident Subham Lonkar, a key associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang who allegedly masterminded the firing at filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Juhu bungalow, is believed to be holed up in Portugal, while Zeeshan Akhtar, another Bishnoi gang member who allegedly played a key role in the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, is apparently under protection in PakThreats to Bollywood: P>istan, police sources said.Akhtar has reportedly been given shelter by gangster Harwinder Singh alias Rinda who has been linked to terrorist acts in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.Police are also examining the role of ‘overseas handlers’ Harry Boxer and Arzoo Bishnoi, who allegedly guide shooters and logistics modules. Arzoo’s name had found a mention in the social media post released after the firing at Shetty’s bungalow, while Boxer hit headlines for issuing voice messages threatening actor Ranveer Singh.Lawrence Bishnoi is currently lodged in Sabarmati jail in Ahmedabad.Police claimed that information available also indicates a rift between Bishnoi and his long-time associate Goldy Brar, which surfaced around mid-2025. Bishnoi felt that Goldy, who is hiding in the US, did not help him after his brother Anmol was arrested there.Bishnoi has allegedly joined hands with Noni Rana, the younger brother of Haryana-based gangster Kala Rana, alias Virendra Pratap, and deployed Boxer in the US to handle gang activities. Bishnoi and Noni have reportedly worked together over the past few months, with the latter’s network making ransom and extortion calls and collecting money for the former.Goldy has reportedly started working with Azerbaijan-based Rohit Godara.Officials believe the split has led to the formation of parallel factions within the syndicate, altering command structures and operational methods. Investigators said Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti, suspected to be moving between foreign locations, has also emerged as a known associate of the syndicate.Police sources said that the gang’s modus operandi has evolved significantly, relying on compartmentalised operations and recruiting youths with minimal criminal background. Handlers reportedly assign isolated tasks — such as arranging vehicles, weapons, or safe houses — without revealing the larger conspiracy, making infiltration by traditional police informers increasingly difficult. “Overseas handlers identify targets, issue instructions through digital medium, arrange funding via hawala and crypto and recruit shooters locally in India. This decentralised model allows the gang to operate globally while maintaining behind the scenes. Many foot soldiers involved in local operations are first-time offenders from economically weaker backgrounds. These youths are allegedly recruited through Instagram, encrypted messaging apps, and online gangster fan pages glorifying the Bishnoi network,” a police officer said.
