A family holiday following the completion of Haj ended in tragedy when a nine-year-old Pakistani-Australian girl was killed after Crime Control Department (CCD) personnel allegedly opened fire on her family’s vehicle in Chakwal, mistaking it for that of fleeing robbers.
Hania Adeel, the daughter of Perth-based Australian citizen Adeel and Dr Sidra, was fatally wounded after armed motorcyclists reportedly robbed the family of cash and jewellery near a CCD police station. Police said CCD personnel engaged the suspects in a gun battle, but as Adeel attempted to drive his family away from the scene, officers allegedly mistook the vehicle for that of the robbers and opened fire.
Hania later died at District Headquarters Hospital, while her father and brother, Affan, sustained serious injuries and were shifted to a hospital in Rawalpindi for treatment. Dr Sidra was not injured.
The incident has sparked widespread public outrage and renewed calls for accountability over the use of force by law enforcement agencies.