Baba Siddique Murder: How the Shooters Learned to Use Guns on YouTube | News from India

Another accused, Shubham Lonkar, was under police surveillance until September 24, after being questioned in June in connection with a shooting near actor Salman Khan’s residence. Shubham is said to have links with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

In January, Shubham was arrested under the Arms Act in Akola, Maharashtra, where authorities seized more than ten firearms. He was later released on bail.

Before he disappeared on September 24, he had also been in contact with Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother Anmol. The investigation further showed that the suspects used social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram to communicate, with Shubham suggesting that these apps avoid detection through features such as deleting Snapchat messages.

Murder of Baba Siddique

NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique died at Lilavati Hospital, following a shootout involving three attackers in Mumbai’s Bandra East area on Saturday evening. Authorities reported that two individuals were arrested shortly after the shooting outside the office of his son, Zeeshan Siddiqui, near Colgate grounds in Nirmal Nagar.

Lonkar said on Sunday that he planned Siddique’s murder because of the latter’s close ties with Bollywood actor Salman Khan. Mumbai Police have confirmed the gang’s involvement in the murder case and are currently investigating the events leading up to Saturday night’s crime.

From India to Canada: the Lawrence Bishnoi angle

Canada recently brought new accusations against India over the assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, with the unexpected name: Lawrence Bishnoi.

At a press briefing, Brigitte Gauvin, deputy commissioner of federal police at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said India’s main focus is on pro-Khalistani individuals. “This was publicly attributed and claimed by one organized crime group in particular: the Bishnoi group. We believe the group is linked to agents of the Indian government,” Gauvin said.

Canada’s reference to the Bishnoi gang emerged just two days after the group was implicated in the assassination of Baba Siddique.

Salman Khan told to avoid visitors at home

Salman Khan was asked to limit visitors to his home following Siddique’s murder. Considering the threat from the Bishnoi gang, security around Salman Khan’s residence in Bandra, Mumbai, has been beefed up.

The actor, who has been the subject of threats from the gang for some time, has been asked to refrain from receiving visitors in the coming days as a precaution. Although Khan did not personally ban guests from visiting him, sources close to the family said the family was taking extra precautions due to the seriousness of the threats.

(With contributions from the agency)

First publication: October 16, 2024 | 1:23 p.m. STI