CHAKWAL: An inquiry report into the shooting of a Pakistani-origin Australian family in Chakwal has held a constable of Punjab’s Crime Control Department (CCD) responsible for the death of nine-year-old Hania Ahmed and the injuries suffered by her father and brother.

Hania was killed and her father, Adil Ahmed, and 10-year-old brother, Affan Ahmed, were seriously injured when their rented car came under fire during the night of June 10-11.

Inquiry report

The 200-page inquiry report submitted to a magistrate’s court said the accused constable opened indiscriminate fire on the family’s vehicle without permission from his superior officer and outside the scope of his duty.

The constable told investigators that he had been standing near the main gate of the CCD station when he heard a commotion. He claimed that he saw two armed robbers outside and that one of them fired at him, prompting him to return fire.

However, duty officer Inspector Jahanzeb Khan rejected the constable’s account, saying he had opened fire with an official rifle without permission from any senior officer. Three other police personnel reportedly supported the inspector’s statement.

The inquiry report rejected the constable’s claim that he had fired in self-defence and described his account as inconsistent with the facts.

Bullet casings recovered

According to the report, investigators recovered 14 pistol bullet casings and 13 Kalashnikov casings from the scene.

The report contains statements from 34 witnesses. Witness Ahmed Nawaz told investigators that he saw the armed constable fire repeatedly at the moving car.

The final forensic report from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency regarding the bullets and blood samples has not yet been received.

Two suspected robbers also killed

The inquiry report identified two alleged robbers, Muhammad Abbas and Muhammad Fayyaz, who were reportedly involved in several criminal cases.

According to the CCD, both men were killed in an alleged police encounter in Chakwal on June 11. Police said they had allegedly robbed two shops before targeting the Australian family.

Who was Hania Ahmed?

Hania Ahmed was a Pakistani-origin Australian citizen and a fourth-grade student at the Australian Islamic College in Perth. Her father, Adil Ahmed, was an engineer and her mother was a dentist.

The family had travelled to Pakistan in May. On June 10, they rented a car to travel around the country. Later that night, they were returning from a family gathering when the shooting occurred.

According to the post-mortem report, Hania suffered 11 injuries, including gunshot wounds. Doctors concluded that she died from severe blood loss caused by the firearm injuries.

Police officials said the formal trial in the case is expected to begin in September following the court holidays.