'Happy, bubbly' Perth girl shot dead in Pakistan mourned by school
The principal of the Perth school attended by a nine-year-old girl who was shot dead in Pakistan has described her as a "happy, bubbly, friendly girl".Hania Ahmed was fatally shot last week after local police mistook her family for armed robbers.Australian Islamic College school principal Abdullah Khan said he hoped there was a "fair investigation" into how the fatal shooting unfolded."Obviously we can't get little Hania back. That's a very tragic loss for the family and for the community," he told ABC Radio Perth.Abdullah Khan is the principal of the Australian Islamic College, which Hania attended. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)"She was a happy, bubbly, friendly girl who used to befriend people quite easily, and she was excited to come to school every day."The mum, in particular, was in a state of extreme shock, and was not even able to speak for a couple of days."Gunfight broke outHania and her family had been visiting relatives on a holiday in the city of Chakwal when robbers held them at gunpoint and demanded their jewellery.The situation evolved into a gunfight when local police happened upon the scene.The robbers fled, and amid the chaos the family attempted to leave too, getting into their car to drive away. But police said they mistook the victims for the suspects and opened fire.Police officer in custody after girl shot deadA nine-year-old Perth girl has been fatally shot by police in Pakistan after officers mistook her family's car for that of suspected criminals. Hania, who was in year 4 at school, was killed, while her father and brother were wounded.In a statement, Chakwal District Police said an officer involved in the incident had been arrested and an investigation was underway."To ensure a transparent and impartial inquiry into the incident, a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has been established. The team is meticulously reviewing all aspects of the case," a spokesperson said.The police said the two robbers had been killed in a subsequent "police encounter".Father disputes police accountPunjab Police said in a later statement the gunfight "occurred after the suspects opened fire on the responding officer".But in an interview with SBS Urdu, Hania's father disputed that account.Adeel and Hania Ahmed were caught in a gunfight while on holiday in the city of Chakwal. (Supplied)"Firing was started by [police] at first, not by thieves," Adeel Ahmed said."CCD [Crime Control Department] personnel chased us and fired at us. They were chasing our car."Mr Ahmed said he recalled two or three officers chasing and shooting at his family as they attempted to drive away."I was driving and was able to dodge them by taking turns, therefore they left us, otherwise they would have murdered all of us."Punjab Police said the conduct of the arrested officer was a "grave deviation" from the Crime Control Department's protocols."The officer was suspended from service and taken into custody on the same day," the statement said."The Department is maintaining daily communication with the affected family to provide updates on the investigation's progress."The family has expressed satisfaction with the pace and transparency of the ongoing legal process."School offers counsellingMr Khan said his school held a special assembly on Friday afternoon to brief Hania's peers, and counselling services were being offered to students and staff.Counselling is being offered to students at the Australian Islamic College in Kewdale after Hania's death. (ABC News: Cason Ho )He said he had spoken with Mr Ahmed."The father has recovered well. The brother is still in hospital and is recovering, but in a stable condition," he said."They plan to stay until he has fully recovered and then return to Perth."
