MUMBAI: The assailants who opened fire at Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai’s Juhu area allegedly conducted a detailed reconnaissance (recce) of his movements before carrying out the attack, with investigators suspecting that they tracked his regular Sunday visits to a football ground to time the shooting.The attackers were aware that Shroff regularly visited the Juhu football ground on Sundays, news agency ANI reported.They allegedly monitored his movements and struck as he was leaving the venue in his car on Sunday evening, pointing to a possible pre-planned operation.The Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the suspected surveillance and reconstructing the sequence of events leading up to the firing.Three accused arrested at Kota railway stationThe Anti-Gangster Task Force and Rajasthan Police have arrested three men in connection with the firing.The accused were apprehended from a train at Kota railway station in Rajasthan while travelling from Mumbai towards Delhi.The accused have been identified as a 17-year-old minor from Haryana’s Sonipat district, Hrithik Kumar alias Roshan, 22, a Rapido rider who lived in Andheri West, and Rehan, 18, also from Sonipat.Shooters allegedly mapped escape route before firingAfter the shooting, the assailants allegedly fled along SV Road through Vile Parle and Andheri.They reportedly abandoned their motorcycle near Andheri West railway station before boarding a train towards Borivali.Investigators had expanded the search to Gujarat amid suspicions that the accused may have crossed into the neighbouring state to evade the police. Specialised Crime Branch teams were deployed to conduct raids and trace their movements.Investigators are examining available evidence to establish whether the escape route was planned in advance and identify others who may have assisted the accused.Tiger escapes gunshot injuries; driver hurt in firingThe incident took place on Sunday evening as Shroff was leaving a football club in Juhu. The actor escaped direct gunshot injuries, but his vehicle was targeted. His driver sustained injuries in the firing.Deputy commissioner of police Mohit Garg confirmed that the actor had escaped gunshot injuries, while the driver was injured in the attack.Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde visited Shroff’s residence on Sunday night and assured the family of the state government’s support.He said the actor had suffered injuries to his left hand caused by gunpowder and glass fragments, adding that strict action would be taken against those responsible.An FIR was registered against three persons under Sections 109(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act.The Crime Branch is continuing its investigation to establish the motive behind the attack, verify the suspected recce and determine whether the assailants had links to a wider criminal network.(With agency inputs)
