Tragedy in Pakistan: Australian Girl Fatally Shot by Police in Mistaken Identity Incident

A nine-year-old Australian citizen was fatally shot by police officers in Chakwal, Punjab province, Pakistan, on Wednesday night after her family's rental car was mistakenly identified as belonging to robbery suspects. Two other family members were injured in the incident.

The Incident

The family, visiting from Perth, Australia, had arrived at a relative's home when two armed robbers on a motorcycle demanded jewelry. The mother handed over jewelry valued at approximately 500,000 rupees (about $2,500-$7,500, depending on the source).

A police officer from Pakistan's Crime Control Department (CCD), who was reportedly on a break, witnessed the robbery. The officer retrieved a firearm and exchanged fire with the suspects, who fled on a motorcycle.

As the family drove away in their rental car, additional police officers arriving at the scene opened fire, believing the car belonged to the suspects, according to a police official.

The family's car was hit multiple times. The father lost control of the vehicle and crashed outside a relative's home.

Casualties

• Hania Ahmed (reported age: 9 or 10), an Australian citizen and Year 4 student at Australian Islamic College in Kewdale, Perth, was pronounced dead at District Headquarters Hospital. According to the father, she was shot four times.

• Adeel Ahmed, the father (age 39), was seriously injured. He was transferred to Benazir Bhutto Hospital in Rawalpindi for surgery and has since been discharged.

• Aafan Ahmed, the brother (age 11), was seriously injured. He was transferred to Benazir Bhutto Hospital in Rawalpindi and remains hospitalized in stable condition.

• Dr. Sidra Khan, the mother, a dentist in Belmont, was unharmed.

Police Response and Investigation

A CCD officer involved in the shooting has been suspended, arrested, and presented to court. The officer has been remanded to judicial custody. His weapon and spent shell casings have been sent for forensic processing.

Police statements described the officer's conduct as a "grave deviation" from standard operating procedures and the principle of minimum force. A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has been formed to conduct an inquiry. Local officials have stated they will hold accountable anyone found responsible.

The two robbery suspects involved in the initial incident were killed in a separate police encounter, reported by local media to have occurred three hours after the family was shot.

Accounts of the Incident

Different accounts of the sequence of events have been reported:

• A police official stated that officers assumed the family's vehicle belonged to the robbers and fired indiscriminately.
• The father, Adeel Ahmed, disputed the police account, stating that police fired first and that the thieves only fired back after being shot at. He claimed all injuries to his family were caused by police fire.

Official Statements

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: Stated that Australia expects transparency and a proper investigation. He expressed condolences to the family and the Pakistani-Australian community.

WA Premier Roger Cook: Expressed shock and stated the state government would support the family and school community.

WA Attorney-General Tony Buti: Described the incident as a case of mistaken identity and indicated he would raise the matter with the Department of Foreign Affairs for support and a fair investigation.

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the family. A spokesperson declined further comment due to privacy obligations.

Community Response

Australian Islamic College executive principal Abdullah Khan described Hania as a "happy, playful, very friendly" student and a "bubbly child." The school held a special assembly and is offering counseling services to students and staff.

Pakistan Association of Western Australia general secretary Asim Chaudray expressed shock and stated the community is in mourning. The family has requested privacy.

The father, Adeel Ahmed, expressed dissatisfaction with the police response. He requested that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese contact Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure accountability.

Background

The CCD was established in February 2025. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 924 deaths of suspects during "encounters" with the CCD have been reported, with two police officers killed in the same period.