• Thu. Jan 15th, 2026

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Extra Judicial Killing

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Fake Encounters

A fake encounter refers to a situation where law enforcement officers’ stage an incident to make it appear as if they had to use lethal force in self-defense or in the defense of others. In reality, the person who was killed or injured was not a genuine threat, and the use of force was unnecessary and unjustified.

Pakistani demonstrators shout slogans during a protest against the killing of a man Naqeebullah in an alleged police encounter, in Karachi on January 20, 2018. Senior superintendent Rao Anwar and other officers last week killed at least four men during what they claimed was a raid on a suspected Taliban hideout in the port city of Karachi. Relatives of one of the dead men, who was identified as Naqeebullah Mehsud, 27, from South Waziristan tribal district, rejected the claims of militant links and said he was an aspiring model who arrived in Karachi in 2008 in search of job and had been running a shop in the city. / AFP PHOTO / RIZWAN TABASSUM

Fake encounters are illegal and unethical, as they involve the intentional killing of an innocent person or the deliberate misrepresentation of the circumstances surrounding a legitimate use of force. Such incidents can occur in a variety of contexts, including during anti-terrorism operations, drug busts, or encounters with suspected criminals.

According to the Mubashir Bhutta Human Rights Fake encounters are a serious violation of human rights and the rule of law, as they undermine public trust in law enforcement and erode confidence in the justice system. They can also perpetuate a cycle of violence and impunity, as the perpetrators are often shielded from accountability by their colleagues or superiors.

It is important that governments and law enforcement agencies take strong action to prevent fake encounters and ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. This can include measures such as improved training and oversight of law enforcement officers, as well as independent investigations into any incidents of suspected fake encounters.