Mumbai Police Arrest Saif Ali Khan’s Attacker in 72 Hours through "Operation Gumrah"

Mumbai Police apprehended Shariful Islam Shahzad, the accused in the attack on actor Saif Ali Khan, within 72 hours of the incident through a meticulously planned operation. Code-named "Operation Gumrah," the operation was carried out with extreme caution to prevent Shahzad from realizing he was being pursued. Instead of directly targeting Shahzad, the police focused on interrogating other suspects to give the impression that they were not after him.

Intricate Planning and Execution

According to police sources, Shahzad was identified using CCTV footage from the staircase of Saif’s building and outside Bandra Station. Fearing that Shahzad might flee if he became aware of the operation, the police devised a dual strategy. One team tracked Shahzad covertly, while another team publicly interrogated other suspects and shared updates on social media to mislead him. This tactic worked, as Shahzad stayed in the Bandra area for two days before eventually moving to Thane.

Interestingly, Shahzad monitored social media updates about the investigation. Police later found screenshots of suspects being questioned stored on his phone, revealing that he had been keeping a close eye on the progress of the case.

Timeline of Events

The first call regarding the attack was made from Saif Ali Khan’s residence to Lilavati Hospital. A subsequent call was made to the police, who received the alert at 3:04 a.m. on the day of the incident. After the attack, Shahzad reportedly hid in a nearby garden for four hours before heading to Bandra Station. He evaded capture by switching off his phone and frequently changing his clothes—three to four times between Mumbai and Thane. Key evidence, including the clothes he wore during the crime, a mobile phone, and earphones, was recovered and sent for forensic analysis.

Break-In Details and Attack

Police investigations revealed that Shahzad entered Saif’s building through the back gate of Satguru Sharan and gained access to the actor’s house by breaking the grill of a bathroom window in the room of Saif’s younger son, Jeh. Prior to the attack, there was reportedly a scuffle between Saif and Shahzad. As Saif attempted to grab a sword for self-defense, Shahzad stabbed him six times with a knife.

Evidence and Identification

Shahzad’s fingerprints were found at 19 locations across the crime scene, including on stairs, windows, and in various flats. Police believe these prints will serve as crucial evidence against him. When Shahzad was arrested, he had no identification documents. However, police retrieved contact numbers from his phone and reached out to his family in Bangladesh, who confirmed his identity. Shahzad’s parents revealed that he had studied up to the 12th grade in Bangladesh.​