Firearms seized in Surat as probe into Juhu shooting widens
Surat has emerged as a key location in the ongoing investigation into the October 18 shooting at actor Tiger Shroff’s vehicle in Juhu, Mumbai, after the Mumbai Crime Branch recovered two firearms during targeted raids in the city. The weapons have been sent for forensic and ballistic examination to determine whether they match shell casings recovered from the scene of the attack, officials reported.
The seizure follows an intensive inquiry into the incident in which two men allegedly opened fire at the actor’s car; reports said five to six rounds were fired. The actor escaped largely unhurt while his driver and a bystander sustained injuries. A motorcycle suspected to have been used by the attackers was later found abandoned in Andheri.
Arrests and network under scrutiny
Investigations have so far led to multiple arrests across states. According to reporting, the total number of people apprehended in connection with the case has reached 11, with at least one recent arrest of a 22-year-old engineering graduate, Pranjal Thakran, in Indore. The operation that led to his arrest was conducted jointly by the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Indore Crime Branch. Thakran is reported to be a resident of Sonipat in Haryana.
Probing agencies suspect logistical support and coordination roles within the wider syndicate that allegedly planned and executed the attack. Early findings indicate possible links to the network associated with gangster Anil Pandit, who has been named in the case and is reported to have claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media post. Pandit is described in reports as an associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi network.
- Two firearms and ammunition recovered in Surat; items sent for forensic testing.
- 11 arrests reported so far, including a 22-year-old arrested in Indore.
- Investigators are tracing weapons’ supply routes and possible facilitator networks.
"Seized firearms and ammunition have been sent for forensic examination and ballistic testing," a police official said, according to reports.
Authorities said they are tracing the supply chain that led to the weapons being stored at a hideout in Surat. Ballistic comparison with empty shell casings collected from the Juhu scene is a key next step, according to the reporting.
Local implications for Surat
For Surat, the recovery underlines the city’s recurring role — in some investigations — as a transit or storage point for arms and logistics linked to interstate criminal networks. Law-abiding residents and business communities may be concerned by the use of local hideouts in a high-profile crime that occurred in Mumbai.
From an enforcement perspective, the seizures and continuing arrests highlight coordination between city police units and out-of-state branches: Mumbai Crime Branch teams conducted targeted searches in Surat and collaborated with counterparts in Indore to make arrests. Forensic results from the weapons recovered in Surat could determine whether the firearms were directly used in the Juhu attack or formed part of a larger supply chain.
| Item | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Recovered in Surat | Two firearms (and ammunition reported in some accounts) |
| Scene | Juhu, Mumbai – attack on October 18 |
| Arrests | 11 reported across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh (including Indore) |
| Network under scrutiny | Named accused Anil Pandit; alleged links to Lawrence Bishnoi network |
Officials emphasise that forensic confirmation is central to linking the weapons seized in Surat to the attempt in Mumbai. If ballistics match, the evidence will strengthen charges related to attempted murder and arms offences already registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act.
Investigations remain active across multiple states. Mumbai police are pursuing additional leads to identify other possible links in the weapons supply network and to determine whether further arrests are warranted.
The development places Surat once again in the spotlight of an interstate criminal probe, with outcomes likely to affect policing priorities and intelligence-sharing between city units and central agencies involved in the case.
