A nine-year-old Australian girl is killed in Pakistan after police allegedly fire on her family’s rental car in what officials and media describe as a case of mistaken identity. Reports say the family, from Perth, is visiting relatives in Punjab province, specifically around Chakwal, when they are robbed while travelling in the car. During the incident, police pursue suspected armed robbers and reportedly mistake the family’s vehicle for the one linked to the suspects. Local media reports that police open fire on the car on Wednesday night local time. The girl dies, and two of her family members are injured, including a brother who is reported to remain in hospital.
Australian officials and the family receive consular assistance as investigations continue. Multiple outlets report that Pakistani authorities apologise and outline protocol violations they say contributed to the shooting. Pakistan also pursues murder charges against the officer involved, according to ABC Australia. Overseas and local reporting focus on the sequence of events, the resulting injuries, and the investigation into police decision-making and adherence to procedures.
