Galaxy Apartment shooters hid in Mata No Madh temple

A joint operation involving Mumbai and Gujarat Police was planned to minimise the risks of armed suspects lashing on the temple crowd.

On April 14, Mumbai was shaken by the news of a shooting incident outside the residence of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. The perpetrators, later identified as Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, had shot at the actor’s residence and escaped.

Following the shooting, Gupta and Pal fled Bandra, leaving their motorcycle near a church, then boarding a train from Borivali to Santacruz. Extensive CCTV footage review revealed that the duo entered Gujarat by train and discarded their phones and weapons in Surat. Their escape route led them to Ahmedabad by bus, and finally, on April 15, they reached Mata No Madh village in Kutch, seeking refuge in the Ashapura Mata temple.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police wasted no time in getting on the hunt. Working tirelessly, they pieced together the escape route by analysing CCTV footage and tracing the discarded phones. By Monday afternoon, intelligence sources narrowed in on the suspects' location near Mata No Madh. Recognizing the sensitivity of apprehending armed suspects in a crowded temple during Navratri celebrations, a joint operation involving both Mumbai and Gujarat Police was meticulously planned.

To minimise risk to bystanders, eight officers, including two from Mumbai, entered the temple disguised as civilians during a nighttime ceremony attended by over 300 people. To prevent a shootout, the team strategically withdrew once the suspects were located. However, they assured the Mumbai Police that apprehension would be swift and safe.

Kutch West DIG Mahendra Bagria, acting on inputs received around 2 PM on Monday, initiated a district-wide "naka-bandi" (checkpoint) operation under the guise of Lok Sabha elections, further tightening the noose around the suspects. With photos of the accused in hand, the police awaited their opportunity.

Finally, a well-coordinated operation unfolded. The team discreetly reached the temple again and apprehended Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal while they rested near the Yagya Kund (sacrificial fire pit). Their capture, executed with utmost caution to ensure the safety of devotees, marked a significant victory for law enforcement.