Mumbai police killed four gangsters belonging to Abu Salem faction of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in an encounter Friday night who were planning to kill Bollywood star Aamir Khan and director of blockbuster film Lagaan Ashutosh Gowarikar.

"The sharp shooters of Salem gang had hatched a conspiracy to gun down Aamir, Ashutosh, film financier Jhamu Sughand and a city-based land developer", Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal told reporters on Saturday.

Police had received a tip-off that the gangsters were to kill prominent Bollywood personalities and had laid a trap in north-western suburb of Khar, Bhujbal said. The police team spotted the gangsters near St Teresa`s school in the area, and ordered them to surrender. But they opened fire at the police party, which immediately retaliated by opening fire. Police have already beefed up security for Aamir and others.