India
Police investigating the attempted assassination of Mumbai politician Baba Siddique have revealed that the shooters responsible for the attack relied on popular social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat to communicate and coordinate their actions.
The revelation came after investigators traced the digital footprints of the alleged attackers, who reportedly used encrypted messaging features available on these platforms to avoid detection. Police sources said that the shooters deliberately avoided traditional communication methods, opting instead for Instagram’s direct messages and Snapchat’s disappearing message feature to plan and execute the crime.
“These platforms offer privacy options that the attackers exploited to their advantage,” a senior police officer involved in the investigation commented. “They believed that using ephemeral messaging would prevent any lasting evidence, but our digital forensics team has managed to recover key conversations.”
The assassination attempt took place last month in a high-profile incident that sent shockwaves through Mumbai’s political circles. Baba Siddique, known for his role in various public projects and for maintaining connections across political lines, narrowly escaped with his life after the shooters missed their target. Security forces were able to apprehend several suspects following a brief chase.
Further investigation into the case revealed that the shooters had been following Siddique’s movements closely, using social media to gather real-time information. “They kept tabs on Siddique’s whereabouts and monitored his appearances via public posts and stories,” police sources explained.
The use of social media by criminal elements to carry out such organized attacks raises concerns over the vulnerability of these platforms and the difficulty law enforcement faces in tracking conversations that are designed to disappear after being viewed. Authorities have since contacted Instagram and Snapchat’s parent companies, Meta and Snap Inc., for assistance in retrieving additional data related to the case.
As the investigation progresses, more details about the attackers’ network and the extent of their digital coordination are expected to emerge. Police are also exploring potential connections to other criminal activities, given the sophisticated nature of their communication methods.
Baba Siddique has not publicly commented on the investigation since the attack but is reportedly cooperating with authorities to ensure the safety of his family and associates. Security measures around him have been increased significantly in light of these new developments.
English
Gujarati
Hindi
Kannada
Malayalam
Marathi
Punjabi
Tamil
Telugu
