‘Three weapons used in Mukhtar aide’s highway assassination’

Lucknow: Fresh details emerged on Sunday in the sensational killing of 52-year-old Shoaib Kidwai alias Bobby, a close aide of slain mafia don Mukhtar Ansari, who was gunned down in broad daylight on Ayodhya highway two days ago.Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya said the forensic examinations have confirmed that the assailants used three different firearms in the attack — a prohibited 9 mm pistol along with 32 and 30 bore weapons — indicating the involvement of trained sharpshooters. At least 15 empty cartridges and one live round were recovered from the scene. Of the multiple shots fired, 10 bullets pierced various parts of Bobby's body, causing fatal injuries.
According to investigators, the attackers arrived on a motorcycle, with a car following behind as backup. Helmeted youths on the bike intercepted Bobby's Baleno car from the front, ensuring there was no obstruction during the execution.Four bullets shattered the windscreen, one pierced the bonnet, and subsequent shots were fired at close range after opening the side door.After carrying out the attack, the assailants reportedly fled via an underpass towards Aseni and are suspected to have escaped through Satrikh towards the Haidergarh road — a rural stretch believed to have been chosen after careful reconnaissance due to the absence of CCTV surveillance.The first emergency call to UP-112 was received at 1:22 pm, suggesting the attack took place 8–10 minutes earlier. Police are scanning vehicles that passed through the area in the crucial 20–25 minute window and identified a car and a motorcycle carrying 2 youths as suspects.Investigators are also scrutinising Bobby's recent call records and close contacts.Former MLA Shivkaran Singh recalled a similar 1990s ambush near Safedabad railway crossing but noted that even in that case, a single victim was not hit with such a high number of bullets.