The accused had initially deliberate to hold out the assault utilizing a motorcycle.

Mumbai:

Investigation into the homicide of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique has revealed particulars of the planning behind the operation which included the acquisition of a considerable cache of bullets, YouTube firearms coaching, and the cautious orchestration of getaway plans. The plotters aimed to make sure the homicide was executed with precision, taking no possibilities on ammunition or escape routes.

Up to now, 4 people have been arrested, together with Haryana resident Gurmail Baljit Singh (23), Uttar Pradesh native Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap (19), each alleged shooters; Harishkumar Balakram Nisad (23), and “co-conspirator” Pravin Lonkar, who belongs to Pune.

Nisad and Kashyap belong to the identical village because the wished accused Shivkumar Gautam. 

In line with police sources, the accused answerable for Mr Siddique‘s homicide – Gurmail Singh (23) and Dharamaraj Kashyap (19) – have been geared up with 65 bullets, a stockpile meant to ensure they might not run out of ammunition. Six of those bullets have been fired on the evening of October 12, when Mr Siddique was shot useless outdoors his son Zeeshan Siddique’s workplace within the Nirmal Nagar space in Bandra.

Authorities have recovered two firearms utilized by the accused – an Austrian-made pistol and a domestically manufactured country-made pistol. Alongside these weapons, police discovered 28 dwell bullets on Singh and Kashyap on the time of their arrest. The investigative staff additionally found a black bag, positioned only a quick distance from the homicide website, containing a Turkish-made 7.62 bore pistol and 30 dwell rounds. This bag additionally held two Aadhar playing cards – one within the title of Shivkumar Gautam, who can also be a suspect within the case, and one other below the title Sumit Kumar, although each playing cards bore Shivkumar’s picture.

Bike Plan Foiled By Accident

In line with the police, the accused had initially deliberate to hold out the assault utilizing a motorcycle. The thought was for the shooters to trip as much as the situation, execute the homicide, after which escape rapidly by bike. Nevertheless, a site visitors accident involving two of the suspects precipitated them to desert this plan. As a substitute, the three perpetrators determined to journey by auto-rickshaw to the location of the crime. After the homicide, they rapidly modified their garments to keep away from detection.

Harishkumar Balakram Nisad, one of many arrested co-conspirators, had transferred Rs 60,000 for the acquisition of a motorcycle. Out of this quantity, Rs 32,000 was used to purchase a second-hand bike, which was meant for use within the assassination.

Manhunt And Escape Makes an attempt

The investigation has revealed the involvement of a number of suspects, with the prime accused, Shubham Lonkar, an alleged member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang who continues to be at giant. Mumbai Police have issued a Look Out Round (LOC) in opposition to Lonkar, who’s believed to be making an attempt to flee to Nepal. His images have been circulated on the Nepal border in an effort to stop his escape.

Lonkar had remained energetic on social media till simply three days earlier than the homicide, with duty for Mr Siddique’s killing reportedly being claimed by way of his Fb profile on October 9. His brother, Praveen Lonkar, has been arrested for allegedly offering monetary assist to the killers. 

Authorities haven’t but managed to trace down Shubham’s precise location, however intelligence suggests he might have been involved with key legal networks. 

YouTube Coaching And Firearm Mastery

In line with the police, the shooters discovered to function weapons by watching YouTube tutorials. Within the weeks main as much as the homicide, the accused rented a home within the Kurla space of Mumbai, the place they practised loading, unloading, and dealing with weapons. Attributable to an absence of open area, they engaged in “dry follow” drills and rehearsing with unloaded weapons.

Investigations additionally revealed that Shivkumar Gautam, one other prime suspect, had expertise with firearms from celebratory firings at weddings in Uttar Pradesh, the place he’s believed to have honed his capturing abilities. Gautam, described because the “major shooter,” not solely participated within the planning but in addition educated Kashyap and Singh within the dealing with of weapons. The trio communicated ceaselessly by way of social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram, utilizing these apps to remain below police radar whereas coordinating the assassination plan.

Shubham Lonkar, the important thing suspect on the run, was beforehand arrested in January below the Arms Act in Maharashtra’s Akola district. His arrest had led to the seizure of greater than ten firearms.