Two armed robbery suspects linked to the fatal shooting of a nine-year-old Perth girl in Pakistan have been killed.
Hania Ahmed, 9, was killed and her father Adeel Ahmed, 39, and older brother Aafan Ahmed, 11, were seriously injured when officers from Pakistan’s Crime Control Department fired indiscriminately on the family’s vehicle in Chakwal, about 90km south-east of Islamabad.
Mr Adeel and Aafan were rushed to District Headquarters Hospital before being transferred to Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi where they underwent surgery.
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Mother Dr Sidra Khan, a dentist in Belmont, was not hurt in the shooting.
Mr Adeel has since been discharged from hospital, in time to attend his daughter’s funeral, while his son continues to receive treatment.
Hania was a Year 4 student at Kewdale’s Australian Islamic College. Her brother, who is now in a stable condition, is in Year 5.
AIC executive principal Abdullah Khan remembered Hania as a “happy, playful, very friendly” student.
“We are in a state of disbelief and shock,” he said. “It’s a very tragic incident and we share our grief with her friends and family.
“People are shocked and heartbroken. Those people who knew the family and have interacted with them have been affected by this.”
The school will offer counselling services to students and staff.
CCTV footage of shots being fired at car killing 9yo Hania Ahmed in Chakwal, Pakistan on Wednesday night Unknown Credit: Unknown/Youtube
Mr Khan said the children had been staying with family members in Pakistan while their parents performed a pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia — which every Muslim strives to do once in a lifetime — before returning to collect them.
“This morning I received a call from (WA Attorney-General) Minister Tony Buti, who offered his condolences and also assured us that he will raise the matters with the Department of Foreign Affairs, to seek support for the family and a fair investigation and justice served,” he said.
“The family has requested privacy.”
Perth’s Pakistani community have been left in mourning following the death of an Australian 9-year-old girl in Pakistan, who was fatally shot by local police. Credit: Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images
According to local reports, the Kewdale family had arrived at a relative’s home when they were confronted by two armed robbers on a motorcycle demanding jewellery.
The relative who lives at the house, Dr Khan’s uncle Ali Ejaz — whose property is located adjacent to the CCD — said the family handed over about $7500 worth of jewellery.
It is understood that an officer, who was on break, witnessed the incident and rushed back to the station, getting his firearm and returning to the scene.
As the robbers tried to escape while exchanging gunfire, Hania’s father drove away in an effort to get his family out of the line of fire.
Officers mistakenly believed the vehicle was being driven by the suspects and opened fire.
Nine-year-old Hania Ahmed attended the Australian Islamic College in Kewdale. Credit: Maps
Although Mr Ahmed managed to drive to a nearby relative’s home, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed outside the property.
According to local media reports, a CCD officer has since been arrested and charged with allegedly killing Hania and seriously injuring her father and brother.
Two armed robbery suspects linked to the fatal shooting have reportedly been killed after “a police encounter”.
Pakistan Association of WA general secretary Asim Chaudhry said the community was in mourning.
“My message for the family is in here in Australia, in Perth, we are wholeheartedly with them,” he said.
“Our hearts are set, we are definitely mourning.
“We’re talking about a very innocent nine-year-old girl who actually unfortunately died on the spot so definitely that’s something that really hurts you.”
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said it was providing consular assistance to the family but were unable to provide further comment due to privacy obligations.
In cases of hospitalisation overseas, consular assistance may include visits to hospitals, liaison with local authorities and assistance communicating with family members.
Consular staff cannot provide medical services, pay for medical treatment or query medical regimens on behalf of Australians overseas.
