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The arrest of Sukhbir Balbir Singh, alias Sukha, a key member of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into a plot to assassinate Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. Sukha, believed to have played a pivotal role in planning the attack earlier this year, was apprehended in a Panipat hotel room on Wednesday night after being lured by a woman working undercover for the Navi Mumbai Police.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, known for its involvement in organized crime, has been under intense scrutiny for its alleged plan to assassinate Khan using firearms smuggled from Pakistan. Sukha, closely linked to the gang's leadership, was in contact with a Pakistan-based handler named Dogar, according to police reports. For three months, authorities had been meticulously crafting a strategy to capture Sukha, who had managed to evade law enforcement after the attack on Khan's residence in Bandra.
The operation to apprehend Sukha involved a clever deception. A young woman, working undercover, was tasked with befriending him and gaining his trust. Over time, the two developed a rapport, paving the way for the sting operation. On Wednesday, the woman contacted Sukha, claiming to be drunk and stranded at the Abhinandan Hotel in Panipat. She sent him the hotel's location, enticing him to come to her aid. While initially suspicious, Sukha was eventually reassured by the woman, hinting at a possible reward for his visit.
Sukha, unaware of the police ambush, agreed to meet her. As they shared drinks in the hotel room, officers from the Mumbai Police, who had been strategically positioned in a room above, raided the premises and arrested the suspect. This operation, the culmination of months of surveillance and coordination among multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Navi Mumbai police, represents a major breakthrough in the investigation.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, known for its use of high-powered weapons, including AK-47s and M16 rifles, had allegedly planned to carry out the attack using firearms smuggled from Pakistan. Investigators have uncovered evidence linking Sukha to Goldy Brar, a gangster based in the United States, and other key figures in the Bishnoi network. This arrest comes after the Navi Mumbai police apprehended five other Bishnoi gang members in June, accused of conducting reconnaissance at Khan's home and Panvel farmhouse.
Khan had previously informed the police of his belief that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was responsible for the firing at his residence, claiming it was an attempt to kill him and his family members. The actor's statement is part of the charge sheet filed by Mumbai police in a court regarding the incident. The arrest of Sukha, a key player in the alleged plot, significantly strengthens the investigation and brings the authorities closer to dismantling the gang's operations and ensuring the safety of Salman Khan and his family.
Source: Plot to kill Salman Khan: How woman lured Lawrence Bishnoi gang shooter to Panipat hotel