CHAKWAL (Web Desk) – The post-mortem report of nine-year-old Hania Ahmed, an Australian national who was killed during a police firing incident in Chakwal, has confirmed that the child sustained multiple gunshot wounds, further intensifying concerns over the actions of Crime Control Department (CCD) personnel involved in the incident.
According to the report, Hania suffered 11 firearm wounds after being struck by several bullets during a shooting that occurred when CCD officials allegedly mistook her family’s vehicle for that of suspected robbers.
The incident took place during the night of June 11 when 39-year-old Adeel Ahmed, his wife Dr Sidra Khan, daughter Hania Ahmed and 10-year-old son Aafan Ahmed were travelling through Chakwal. During what authorities described as an ongoing robbery situation, CCD personnel opened fire on the family’s vehicle, believing it was linked to the suspects.
As a result of the firing, Hania died at the scene, while her father and brother sustained critical injuries. Dr Sidra Khan was not injured.
Post-mortem findings
The autopsy was conducted at the District Headquarters Hospital Chakwal during the early hours following the incident.
According to the report, the examination began at 4:27am after Hania’s body was transferred to the hospital mortuary at 1:33am.
Medical examiners documented multiple wounds to the child’s chest, abdomen, thighs and left arm. The report concluded that the injuries were caused by gunfire and that the cause of death was firearm trauma.
Hospital sources stated that Hania was struck by five bullets believed to have been fired from AK-47 rifles. Because all five bullets passed through her body, they created both entry and exit wounds, resulting in a total of 10 visible gunshot injuries, while an additional wound was also recorded during the examination.
Doctors concluded that the injuries were fatal and consistent with high-velocity gunfire.
Father’s allegations
In an audio message shared with media outlets, Hania’s father, Adeel Ahmed, alleged that CCD personnel were directly responsible for the tragedy.
He claimed that officers opened fire on the family’s vehicle without properly assessing the situation and alleged that the gunfire came from automatic weapons.
According to Adeel Ahmed, his daughter died instantly while he and his son were seriously wounded.
He further alleged that CCD officials pursued their vehicle after the shooting and claimed that, had they been intercepted, the entire family could have been killed.
Adeel accused certain officials of attempting to influence the investigation and shield those responsible for the incident.
He also revealed that representatives from the Australian Consulate had visited the family and expressed support.
According to him, the family is not seeking financial compensation but wants those responsible for the shooting to be brought to justice.
The grieving father questioned the conduct and professionalism of the officers involved, alleging that the suspected robbers themselves had not initiated the exchange of fire and that CCD personnel opened fire first.
He claimed that the robbers fired only two rounds before fleeing the scene and alleged that multiple officers, rather than a single official, participated in the shooting.
Adeel also expressed dissatisfaction with the official response following the incident, stating that the family had not received adequate support.
Public reaction
The death of Hania Ahmed triggered widespread grief and outrage in both Pakistan and Australia.
The incident drew significant public attention because it involved the fatal shooting of a child who was reportedly caught in a police operation stemming from mistaken identity.
Civil society members, legal experts and social media users have called for a transparent investigation and accountability for those involved.
CCD chief promises transparent inquiry
Meanwhile, CCD Chief Sohail Zaffar Chatha visited the bereaved family and offered condolences over the death of the child.
He also visited Hania’s grave, laid flowers and offered prayers.
Speaking to reporters, Chatha described the incident as deeply tragic and shocking.
According to his account, CCD personnel were responding to an ongoing robbery when the suspects allegedly took cover behind the family’s vehicle, leading to an exchange of fire.
He said the robbers later escaped in a direction not visible to the officers, creating confusion during the operation.
Chatha acknowledged that an officer involved in the incident had exercised excessive force due to what he described as a serious error of judgment.
He said the mistake had resulted in the loss of an innocent life and assured the family that the department would not protect any official found responsible.
The CCD chief stated that the institution would act impartially and allow the legal process to determine accountability.
Murder charge added
Authorities have confirmed that Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which pertains to murder, has been incorporated into the First Information Report (FIR) registered in connection with the incident.
Officials said the matter is now before the courts and that further legal proceedings will determine responsibility for the fatal shooting.
The case continues to attract national attention as investigators examine the circumstances that led to the death of the young Australian-Pakistani girl and the injuries suffered by her family members.
