A nine-year-old Australian girl was fatally shot by police in Pakistan after officers mistakenly identified her family’s vehicle as a getaway car used by armed robbers. The incident occurred late Wednesday night in the Chakwal district of Punjab province.

Hania Ahmed was traveling with her father, Adeel Ahmed, mother, Sidra Khan, and brother, Aafan Ahmed, when police opened fire on their rental car. The family had arrived at a relative’s home at approximately 11:40 p.m. when they were confronted by two armed men on motorcycles who demanded jewelry.

According to Ali Ejaz, a relative residing at the property, the family complied by handing over jewelry valued at roughly $7,500 during the robbery. An off-duty police officer reportedly witnessed the incident and returned to his station to retrieve a firearm before coming back to the scene. Authorities said the officer exchanged gunfire with the robbers, who then fled on their motorcycle.

Amid the confusion following the robbery, Adeel Ahmed attempted to drive his family away from the area. However, police, believing the vehicle was involved in the crime, opened fire on the car. A police official told local reporters that officers perceived the vehicle’s departure as a sign it was connected to the robbers, prompting them to shoot. The officer involved has been suspended pending investigation.

Mr. Ahmed was able to stop the car at another relative’s home but lost control and crashed. The family was taken to District Headquarters Hospital, where Hania was declared dead. Adeel Ahmed and his son Aafan were later transferred to a hospital in Rawalpindi and underwent surgery. Mr. Ahmed has since been discharged, while Aafan remains hospitalized. Ms. Khan was not injured in the incident.