The Mumbai Encounter Squad is an unofficial group within the police force of Mumbai, India. It consists of several high-profile officers from the Detection Unit. The squad primarily deals with members of the Mumbai underworld and other criminal gangs and carries out the elimination of criminals. At one point it was headed by Pradeep Sawant. The Mumbai police's Crime Branch is controlled by Joint Commissioner of Mumbai Police, and has a force of approximately 1500 officers. The Detection Unit at the Crime Branch is considered most important, as it deals directly with the underworld and terrorists. Fourteen units, including the Crime Intelligence Unit, and the Fingerprint Unit, work with the Detection Unit.