Bollywood actress Disha Patani’s family escaped unhurt after unidentified gunmen opened fire at their Civil Lines residence in Bareilly early Thursday, police said.
Patani’s father, retired deputy superintendent of police Jagdish Singh Patani, her mother, and her sister were inside the house when the shots rang out around 3 a.m. No injuries were reported, but the attack triggered panic in the neighborhood.
Hours later, Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar claimed responsibility in an online post, alleging the assault was linked to comments Patani and her sister had made against certain religious figures. Brar also issued fresh threats, intensifying security concerns.
Taking the claim seriously, a joint team of the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force and Delhi Police traced two suspects to Ghaziabad on Friday. Police said the men opened fire when officers attempted to arrest them, sparking a gun battle. Both suspects were injured, and one later died at a hospital.
Authorities recovered a cache of weapons from the site, including foreign-made pistols and dozens of live cartridges. Investigators said preliminary findings suggest the attack was orchestrated by an international crime syndicate with direct ties to Brar’s gang.
Brar, a key associate of slain gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has been linked to several high-profile crimes in India and abroad. Officials believe his network has expanded its operations across northern India, raising concerns about gang influence on public figures.
Senior police officers said additional security has been provided to Patani’s family while forensic experts examine ballistic evidence from the shooting. “We are investigating all angles, including who ordered the attack and whether more operatives are at large,” a senior STF officer said.
The case has now entered a high-stakes phase, with investigators working to dismantle the network believed to be targeting prominent personalities in India.
