Mumbai Police are probing how shooters in the October 18 Juhu firing incident got real-time updates from handlers watching TV news. Investigators found messages like, "Tumhare chehre aa gaye hain, nikal jao waha se." The suspects used Signal and Zangi apps to coordinate their escape and change travel routes.

The investigation into the firing incident involving actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai has taken a new turn as the police are probing whether encrypted messaging applications were used to coordinate the attack and to guide the alleged shooters during their escape. Investigators believe handlers watched TV reports and fed them real-time updates, prompting the suspects to change their routes and modes of transport. Investigators are examining communications on Signal and Zangi. Police have also seized two pistols in Surat and are investigating a suspected firing practice spot in Mira-Bhayandar as they try to ascertain the role of all those allegedly involved.

Mumbai Police's Crime Branch is combing through the digital conversations that the accused allegedly had with their handlers on platforms like Signal and Zangi. Investigators are trying to ascertain how the suspects communicated, coordinated their movements and allegedly took instructions after the October 18 firing incident in Mumbai's Juhu area.

Reports have quoted police sources as saying that digital evidence indicates that Rehan Rahisuddin Ansari continued to remain in regular contact with others through internet calling and messaging services. Investigators are trying to determine whether the communications were used to coordinate the alleged operation and help the accused evade arrest.

Police feel that Sameer Hasan Khatri and Jatin Krishna Panchal were in direct contact with Anil Pandit, who has been named a wanted accused in the case. Investigators suspect Sameer arranged a meeting between Rehan and Pandit. The conspiracy was hatched after that. The alleged links remain under investigation.

Investigators believe the alleged gunmen received updates from their handlers after news channels showed visuals of the attack. Sources told news agency PTI that one suspect received a message urgently warning that their faces had been shown on television and to get out of the area, reports quoting police sources said. It read: "Tumhare chehre aa gaye hain, nikal jao waha se." (Your faces have been exposed, get out of there.)

Police are looking into whether the handlers monitored media coverage and passed information to the suspects as the case unfolded. They were also informed about the recovery of the attackers’ motorcycle in Andheri and their journey on a train, it is alleged. The investigators believe this steady drip of information could have impacted the suspects' moves as they tried to get away from Mumbai.

The three main accused have been identified as Phool Singh, 18, Rehan Rahisuddin Ansari, 18 and Rithik Mahto, 22. They were reportedly arrested by Kota police in Rajasthan on October 19, a day after the firing incident and they were said to be in police custody till October 31.

The suspects were said to have changed from a motorcycle to a train and then to a cab before planning to board a bus from Surat, police sources said. They were reportedly held up at Surat bus terminal and boarded another train, which was intercepted by the police after Mumbai Police informed their Rajasthan counterparts.

The shooting took place on October 18 in Juhu, where shooters allegedly fired multiple rounds on Tiger's car. The actor was not seriously hurt, but his driver and a vlogger were injured. The investigation has resulted in several arrests in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

In another development, the Mumbai Crime Branch has reportedly recovered two pistols from Surat that the investigators believe were used in the firing. Reportedly concealed, the suspects fled the city with the weapons. They are expected to undergo a forensic examination to help establish if they were used in the attack.

A woman has been arrested for questioning and two teams of police have been sent to Haryana for further investigations. Police are also investigating where the guns and live ammunition came from and the alleged roles of people who may have provided logistical support.

Mumbai Police have declared Anil Pandit a wanted accused. He is said to be a suspected member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and the investigators believe that he is operating from the United States, reports said. Reports also said Pandit claimed responsibility for the shooting in a social media post.