Australian girl, 9, killed in Pakistan

A nine-year-old West Australian girl was shot dead by police while travelling with her family in Pakistan.

The girl, named by media as Hania Ahmed, was travelling with her parents and young brother when local officers opened fire on their rental car, 9News said, citing the Pakistani Association of WA.

Local media reported the family, from the Perth suburb of Kewdale, was mistaken for armed robbers the police were pursuing.

The girl’s 11-year-old brother and father were also shot in the incident late on Wednesday night in the city of Chakwal in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Her mother was uninjured.

Speaking to 9News Perth, Pakistani Association WA general secretary Asim Chaudray said the news was shocking and the local community was in mourning.

“This news is really shocking – especially the death of a nine-year-old,” he said.

“The community is really down – they are really concerned and in mourning.”

The girl’s brother reportedly remains in hospital while her father has been discharged.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said it is providing consular assistance to the family.

“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time. Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment,” the spokesperson said.

WA Attorney General Tony Buti said he believed the tragic incident was a case of mistaken identity, and had spoken to PAWA patron Abdullah Khan to pass on the government’s condolences.

“She was on a family holiday with her parents, mum and dad, and her brother,” Buti said.

“There was a case of mistaken identity, and unfortunately she was shot dead, which is so sad.

“So just wanted the Pakistani community of Western Australia and the family of the deceased to know that the WA government are with them and will provide whatever support they can.”