Australian girl, 9, killed in Pakistan after police mistake family's car for robbers' vehicle, open fire

A family visit to Pakistan ended in tragedy when a 9-year-old Australian girl was killed and two of her relatives were injured after Crime Control Department personnel allegedly opened fire on their vehicle in Chakwal, Punjab province. Officials have described the shooting as a case of mistaken identity during a response to an armed robbery.

The victim, Hania Ahmed, a Pakistani Australian child from Perth, was travelling with her family when authorities allegedly confused their rented vehicle with a car used by robbery suspects. Chakwal is located about 62 miles southwest of Islamabad.

Family had recently arrived in Pakistan

According to information received by The Media Line, Hania and her family had arrived in Pakistan only days earlier after performing Hajj.

Her father, Adeel Ahmed, 39, is originally from Dhudial in Chakwal district and moved to Australia about two decades ago. He pursued higher education there, earned a degree in civil engineering and later settled in Australia with his wife, Dr Sidra Khan, and their children, Affan Ahmed and Hania Ahmed.

At the time of the incident, Hania was travelling with her father and brother to visit her maternal grandfather, who is reportedly a retired colonel in the Pakistan Army.

Robbery preceded fatal shooting

Initial accounts suggest the family had just been robbed at gunpoint by two armed men who allegedly stole jewellery from them.

As the family attempted to leave in their rented vehicle, Crime Control Department personnel allegedly mistook the car for that of the fleeing suspects and opened fire.

Hania suffered fatal injuries in the shooting. Her father and younger brother were seriously wounded and later underwent surgery. Dr Sidra Khan was not travelling in the vehicle and was unharmed.

Authorities have arrested the official accused of opening fire and registered a murder case against him.

Police have also constituted a Joint Investigation Team to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Officials later said the two men allegedly involved in the robbery were killed during an encounter.

Incident sparks outrage in Pakistan and Australia

The shooting has triggered public anger in both Pakistan and Australia, where the family resides.

Senior police officials in Pakistan have described the incident as a tragic case of mistaken identity and said the family would receive justice through a transparent investigation.

The case has also renewed attention on police procedures in Pakistan, including the use of force during criminal pursuits and accountability mechanisms following civilian deaths. Rights groups have long expressed concerns over police shootings, custodial abuse and encounter killings, while authorities have repeatedly stated that reforms are needed to improve training and public trust.

Australia provides consular assistance

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was assisting the family following the incident.

“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” a department spokesperson said.

The department added that it was providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian national who was killed and to two Australians injured in the shooting.