Senior NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead in Mumbai on Saturday. According to reports, three attackers fired shots at him outside his son Zeeshan's office in Bandra East. The 66-year-old was rushed to Lilavati Hospital where he died. "Mumbai police chief told me two persons have been arrested. One is from UP, other from Haryana. Third assailant is absconding but police are trying to nab him," chief minister Eknath Shinde told HT.According to reports, a 9.9 mm pistol was used in the shooting, hinting at a possible contract killing.While the motive remains under investigation, sources told the Economic Times that a potential link to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang is being probed due to Siddique's close ties with Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. Bishnoi's gang has allegedly targeted Khan since his involvement in the 1999 Blackbuck poaching case. In April, shots were fired outside Khan's Mumbai residence, with the actor informing authorities that Bishnoi was responsible, following several threats directed at him and his family.Apart from the Bishnoi gang angle, police are also reportedly investigating a dispute related to Siddique and a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project. Baba Siddique and Salman Khan shared a close friendship, with the actor frequently attending the politician's annual iftar parties, Siddique was well-known for ending the cold war between Salman and Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. The actors had been estranged since a 2008 altercation at Salman's then-girlfriend Katrina Kaif's birthday party. In 2013, Baba Siddique invited both of them to his annual iftar party, where they famously reconciled with a hug. The politician reportedly seated Shah Rukh Khan next to Salman's father, Salim Khan. As SRK and Salim were chatting, Salman approached, leading to a moment where the two actors shared a hug, officially ending their long-standing rivalry.
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