A Pakistani-Australian family’s post-Hajj holiday ended in tragedy when nine-year-old Hania Adeel died during an alleged police firing incident in Chakwal district of Punjab.
Hania, a citizen of Australia from Perth, was travelling with her parents and siblings when their vehicle came under fire from Crime Control Department (CCD) personnel. Police said officers mistook the car for a vehicle used by fleeing robbers.
According to police and family sources, Hania’s father Adeel, his wife Dr Sidra, and their children had recently returned after performing Hajj and were visiting Pakistan for a family trip.
The incident took place late at night when the family was going to a relative’s house for dinner. Near a CCD police station in Chakwal, armed men on a motorcycle allegedly stopped the family’s vehicle and robbed them of cash and jewellery.
Police said an exchange of fire then took place between the robbers and CCD officers who arrived at the scene. During the confusion, Adeel tried to drive away with his family. Officials then allegedly opened fire, thinking the vehicle belonged to the fleeing suspects.
Multiple bullets hit the vehicle, critically injuring Hania. She was taken to District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ), where doctors pronounced her dead soon after arrival.
Her father and brother Affan also received gunshot wounds and were shifted to a hospital in Rawalpindi for treatment. Dr Sidra remained unharmed.
The incident sparked strong public anger. Citizens and rights activists demanded a transparent investigation and accountability over the alleged misuse of power.
Authorities later changed the legal charge against the arrested CCD official, upgrading it to Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code (murder) from Section 322.
Officials seized the service rifle allegedly used in the shooting. The accused officer was sent to jail on judicial remand. Investigators transferred the case from local police to senior CCD officers to examine how the misidentification occurred.
Hania’s grandfather demanded justice and said the family only wants accountability for the death of an innocent child.
Chakwal District Police Officer expressed regret over the incident and said authorities would investigate all aspects of the case. He added that strict action would be taken if negligence or wrongdoing is proven.
The investigation is ongoing, with questions being raised about police procedures during armed encounters and accountability within law enforcement.
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