Salman Khan Assassination Plot: Rs 25 Lakh Deal, Pakistani Arms, And Teenage Hitmen

In a chilling development, the Navi Mumbai Police have filed a chargesheet detailing a conspiracy to assassinate Bollywood superstar Salman Khan near his farmhouse in Panvel, Maharashtra. Five individuals have been named in the chargesheet, with the plot allegedly orchestrated by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's gang for a contract sum of Rs 25 lakh, NDTV reported citing chargesheet.

The investigation reveals that the accused had planned to procure advanced weapons, including AK-47, AK-92, M-16 rifles, and the Turkish-made Zigana pistol, the same weapon used in the assassination of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. High-end firearms were deemed essential to penetrate Khan's tight security, which includes bulletproof vehicles and a protective entourage, it added.

Allegedly, the conspirators also recruited minors for the operation, who are reportedly hiding across Pune, Raigad, Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Gujarat. The gang's hitman, identified as Ajay Kashyap alias AK, along with four others, was tasked with the operation by an accomplice known as Sukha, who was arrested recently in Panipat, Haryana.

During the investigation, it was uncovered that Sukha had contacted Pakistan-based arms dealer Dogar via video call, discussing weapons procurement and presenting images of firearms like AK-47s wrapped in shawls. Dogar had agreed to supply the arms, while Sukha arranged to pay 50% upfront, with the remainder to be paid upon delivery in India, as per the chargesheet.

In preparation, Kashyap and his team conducted surveillance on Khan's locations, closely monitoring his movements at his Bandra home, Panvel farmhouse, and Goregaon Film City. The assassination plot was reportedly planned between August 2023 and April 2024, awaiting final approval from Canada-based gangster Goldie Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi's brother, Anmol Bishnoi.

The police uncovered this assassination attempt during an investigation into a firing incident outside Khan's Bandra residence. The gang's escape route was allegedly pre-planned, with intentions to flee to Kanyakumari, aiming to evade detection by Indian authorities.