Pakistan police kill Australian girl taken hostage by robbers
What's the story
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has demanded a transparent investigation into the death of nine-year-old Hania Ahmed in Pakistan. Hania was on vacation with her family when they were taken hostage by armed robbers in Chakwal, Punjab province, on June 10. During a police shootout with the suspects, an officer "mistakenly" fired his weapon, fatally shooting Hania and injuring her father and older brother.
Official statement
Officer involved 'mistakenly' assessed suspects were attempting to flee
In a lengthy statement posted to X, Punjab police said Crime Control Department officers intervened after the Perth family was taken hostage at gunpoint. "In the ensuing chaos, the officer involved mistakenly assessed that the suspects were attempting to flee in the victims' vehicle and discharged his weapon," the statement said. "This erroneous decision resulted in the tragic death of ... Hania and injuries to her father and brother."
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Robbers killed
According to Dawn, the robbers escaped on a motorbike and were killed in a separate encounter with police on Thursday night (local time). Police said the officer who opened fire on the Australian family's car did not follow established standard operating protocols or legal principles governing the use of force. He was suspended from duty, formally arrested, and brought before court, where he was sent to judicial custody.
Community impact
Police said robbers opened fire first; family disagrees
Punjab police said the robbers opened fire first on the arrested police officer. However, the girl's father told SBS Urdu that the cops had fired first. "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," Albanese told reporters on Monday.