Australian girl killed after Pakistani police mistake family car for robbers’ vehicle

A tragic incident in Pakistan's Punjab province has resulted in the death of a 9-year-old Pakistani Australian girl and injuries to two family members. Hania Ahmed, from Perth, was traveling with her family in a rented car when Crime Control Department personnel allegedly opened fire on them.

According to initial reports, the family had recently arrived in Pakistan after performing Hajj. Hania's father, Adeel Ahmed, who moved to Australia two decades ago, was visiting his hometown with his children. The family had reportedly just been robbed at gunpoint by two men. As they attempted to leave the area in their vehicle, police allegedly mistook their car for that of the fleeing robbers and opened fire.

Hania was fatally wounded, while her father and younger brother sustained serious injuries and required surgery. Her mother, Dr. Sidra Khan, was not in the vehicle and was unharmed. The killing has ignited public anger in both Pakistan and Australia, where the family resided. Senior police officials have described the event as a "tragic case of mistaken identity" and have assured a transparent investigation. Authorities have arrested the officer accused of firing the shots and registered a murder case. The two men allegedly involved in the initial robbery were reportedly killed in a police encounter.