CCD officer arrested over killing of Australian-Pakistani girl in Chakwal

A CCD officer has been arrested and two suspected robbers killed in a subsequent encounter after a nine-year-old Australian-Pakistani girl was fatally shot when officers opened fire on her family's car in Chakwal, Punjab authorities said.

A Joint Investigation Team is examining the circumstances of the shooting, which occurred late Wednesday night.

How was the girl killed in the Chakwal CCD shooting?

Hania Ahmed, 9, was shot when Crime Control Department officers opened fire on the family's car, apparently mistaking it for a getaway vehicle after a nearby robbery.

Officers pursued the car on motorcycles before the family reached a relative's home. Hania was pronounced dead at the District Headquarters Hospital.

What was the family doing in Chakwal when the shooting happened?

The family, including Hania's father Adeel Ahmed, 39, and mother Dr. Sidra Khan, had returned from Haj earlier that Wednesday and were visiting a relative whose home sits adjacent to a CCD station in Chakwal. The family had traveled from Australia and was using a rented vehicle at the time.

During the visit, two armed robbers on a motorcycle allegedly intercepted the family's car and stole jewelry worth PKR500,000 at gunpoint. A CCD officer returning to the station witnessed the robbery and opened fire on the suspects. The robbers allegedly returned fire before fleeing the scene.

How did CCD officers end up firing on the family's car?

As the family's vehicle drove away during the exchange of gunfire, CCD officers reportedly mistook it for the robbers' motorcycle. Officers then opened fire on the car and gave chase on motorcycles. Adeel Ahmed managed to reach his father-in-law's residence before losing control of the vehicle and crashing into the gate.

Hania was rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital, where she died. Adeel Ahmed and his son Aafan sustained gunshot wounds and were transferred to Benazir Bhutto Hospital in Rawalpindi for surgery. Adeel Ahmed has since been discharged; Aafan remains under treatment. Dr. Sidra Khan was not injured.

What action has been taken after the Chakwal shooting?

Authorities confirmed the CCD officer whose gunfire killed Hania has been arrested. The two robbers involved in the initial incident were subsequently killed in an encounter, police said.

The CCD's regional officer for Rawalpindi and the district police officer for Chakwal visited the family and assured them of swift legal action. The Joint Investigation Team continues to examine the full sequence of events.