April 22, 2026
By Hafiz ullah Storai Sherani
ISLAMABAD
The deaths of two young brothers Mohammad Haseeb Asif and Mohammad Tauheed Asif, aged between 20 and 25, in an alleged police encounter near Head Panjnad, District Rahim Yar Khan on April 9 has now escalated into a high profile legal battle.
While the Punjab Police officially deny allegations of foul play, the grieving family has labeled the incident a staged execution in formal applications submitted to the Inspector General (IGP) of Punjab and the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP).
The victims’ sister Muazama Asif Bhatti and mother Nazia Anjum, a Lady Health Worker, have rejected the official police narrative in their statements which they gave to Voicepk.
“Both of my brothers were killed by being shot straight into the heart,” she said. “This was not an encounter but a cold blooded execution.”
The family claims that for several years both brothers worked unofficially for various police stations as “zimni” writers questioning why they were never arrested at those stations if they were indeed wanted criminals.
According to the application both brothers were taken into custody without a warrant on the evening of April 8 from Head Panjnad by the SHO of Ali Pur, subsequently moved to the jurisdiction of Rahim Yar Khan and then killed.
Muazama expressed grave fears for the remaining family members. “Our family, especially our father, must be given protection. We fear the police may target him next under the guise of another fake encounter,” she said.
Police denies allegations
Conversely the Punjab Police have officially denied the family’s claims maintaining that the deaths occurred during a legitimate tactical operation. According to FIR No 379/26 registered at Police Station Sadar Khanpur the incident followed a reported motorcycle and cash snatching.
SHO Muslim Zia asserts that four armed suspects fled the scene and a confrontation occurred near Mauza Qazi Tahir Shaheed. The police report claims that the suspects opened fire on the police party and Haseeb and Tauheed were killed after being hit by bullets fired by their own fleeing accomplices.
SHO Muslim Zia also informed Voicepk that the deceased, and their father, were wanted in multiple cases, adding that both the young men had previously served jail time on theft charges.
A dangerous precedent
In the recent past the Punjab Police have faced numerous allegations of carrying out staged encounters to extra judicially kill individuals under the guise of police shootouts though the department has consistently denied all such claims.
In the recent past the Punjab Police have faced numerous allegations of carrying out staged encounters to extra judicially kill individuals under the guise of police shootouts though the department has consistently denied all such claims.
The legal community has responded to this latest case with significant concern as the Tehsil Bar Associations of Jatoi and Alipur passed separate resolutions condemning the incident as a grave violation of human rights and an alleged fake encounter.
The mother of the deceased, Nazia Anjum has requested the CJP to form a Judicial Commission to investigate the forensic evidence and the circumstances of the arrests. The petition and application specifically names the Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) and other senior officials as respondents seeking the registration of a murder FIR against the personnel involved.
The family has been demanding an immediate judicial inquiry and government protection from potential police intimidation fearing what may happen if they are not given this protection.