Tragic Shooting in Pakistan Claims Life of Australian Girl, Sparks Calls for Investigation

A tragic incident in Pakistan has led to the death of nine-year-old Hania Ahmed, an Australian girl, during a police shooting. The event occurred while she was visiting family in Chakwal. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for a transparent investigation into the circumstances of her death. The family was reportedly caught in a robbery when police responded, leading to a chaotic situation that resulted in Hania being critically injured. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about police protocols and accountability. This incident has caused significant distress within the Australian-Pakistani community, prompting support for the bereaved family.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 16, 2026, 13:52 IST

Incident Overview

A heartbreaking police shooting incident in Pakistan has garnered global attention after a nine-year-old girl from Australia was fatally shot while visiting the country with her family. This tragic event has led Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to call for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

The victim, Hania Ahmed, was in Chakwal, Punjab, visiting relatives when the shooting occurred late Wednesday night. Punjab police reported that the family was involved in a robbery while traveling in a rented vehicle.

In a statement released on X, Punjab police detailed that officers from the Crime Control Department (CCD) responded to reports of the Perth-based family being held at gunpoint. During the incident, suspects opened fire on an officer, resulting in a gunfight.

According to the police statement, amidst the chaos, the officer mistakenly believed the suspects were trying to escape in the victims' vehicle and fired his weapon.

Details of the Incident

As reported by a local newspaper, the family, which included Adeel Ahmed, 39, his wife Dr. Sidra Khan, their daughter Hania, and 10-year-old son Aafan, had just returned from performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. On the night of the shooting, they were en route to Ahmed's father-in-law's house for dinner when two armed men on a motorcycle intercepted their rental car.

During the robbery, Ahmed attempted to contact emergency services. Upon police arrival, the suspects fled on their motorcycle, and the rental vehicle also left the scene. The police, seeing the vehicle drive away, mistakenly assumed it belonged to the robbers and opened fire.

This gunfire critically injured Hania, her father, and her brother. They were rushed to a nearby hospital, but Hania later succumbed to her injuries.

Reports indicate that investigators believe the suspects fired first at the police. The officer involved has been taken into custody on murder charges, and an inquiry into the actions of other officers present is underway. However, Hania's father has contested this narrative, claiming that the police initiated the shooting.

Calls for Accountability

Prime Minister Albanese emphasized the need for a transparent investigation, stating, "These circumstances do need to be examined. They need to be examined in a transparent way so that everyone can know, the family, most importantly, but others as well." He expressed Australia's expectation for a thorough investigation into the incident.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) acknowledged the distress this incident has caused within the Australian-Pakistani community and confirmed that support is being provided to the grieving family.

Punjab police admitted that proper procedures were not followed during the operation, stating, "There was absolutely no justification for deviating from our established protocols." They also identified the robbery suspects as Muhammad Abbas and Muhammad Fayyaz, who were later killed in a separate police encounter while allegedly trying to escape.