LAHORE – A Punjab Crime Control Department (CCD) constable has been held responsible in an investigation into the death of nine-year-old Australian citizen Hania Ahmed in Chakwal.
According to a 200-page investigation report, the constable opened fire at a vehicle without obtaining permission from senior officers. The incident occurred outside the CCD police station in Chakwal during the night between June 10 and 11.
Australian citizen Adil Ahmed was travelling in his car with his wife and two young children when two armed men allegedly stopped the vehicle and attempted to rob the family.
A constable present nearby then opened fire at the vehicle. Hania was killed, while her father Adil and brother Afan sustained injuries.
The investigation was conducted by CCD Chakwal Sub-Inspector Muhammad Irfan. The report said the constable claimed he had heard a disturbance outside the station and saw two armed men attempting to rob a white vehicle. According to his statement, one of the suspects fired at him after spotting him, prompting him to return fire.
The constable also said he later took a lift on a private motorcycle to pursue the vehicle but failed to catch it.
However, duty officer Inspector Jahanzeb Khan rejected the constable’s account. He told investigators that the constable had fired the official SMG without authorization from him or any senior officer and had also pursued the vehicle on a private motorcycle without permission. Three other personnel present at the station supported the inspector’s account.
The report described the constable’s claim of firing in self-defence as completely false and contrary to the facts. Investigators recovered 14 pistol casings and 13 Kalashnikov casings from the scene and recorded statements from 34 witnesses.
The final Punjab Forensic Science Agency opinion on the bullets and blood samples has yet to be received.
