Autopsy report of nine-year-old girl killed in Chakwal CCD shooting reveals multiple bullet wounds

CHAKWAL: The post-mortem report of nine-year-old Hania Ahmed, an Australian national who was killed in a shootout in Chakwal on Wednesday night, has confirmed that she sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Adeel Ahmed, 39, his wife Dr Sidra Khan, their daughter Hania Ahmed, 9, and son Aafan Ahmed, 10, were shot at during a robbery when CCD personnel opened fire on their vehicle, mistaking it for that of robbers. As a result, Hania died on the spot, while Adeel and Aafan were critically injured. Dr Khan remained unhurt.

The report, available with Dawn, reveals that Hania sustained 11 gunshot wounds.

The post-mortem examination was conducted at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Chakwal on the night of June 11.

“She was hit by five bullets, which appeared to have been fired from AK-47 rifles. The five bullets caused 10 wounds, as all of them passed through her body, leaving both entry and exit wounds,” a senior doctor at DHQ Hospital told Dawn.

The report states that the examination began at 4:27am after the body had been shifted to the mortuary at 1:33am. Medical examiners found multiple wounds on the child’s chest, abdomen, thighs and left arm. The report notes that the injuries were consistent with firearm trauma.

The report further states that the nature of the injuries indicated death caused by gunshot wounds.

The killing of Hania Ahmed, which resulted from a case of mistaken identity by an officer of the embattled Crime Control Department (CCD), sparked widespread grief and anger in Pakistan and Australia.

Meanwhile, in an audio message shared with Dawn, Adeel Ahmed, the father of the deceased, claimed they were hit by bullets fired from AK-47 rifles.

“My daughter was martyred on the spot. CCD officers chased us, but luckily, I managed to escape. Had they caught up with us, they would have killed us all to cover up their crime,” he said.

He further alleged that senior officials were attempting to shield the accused and were manipulating the investigation.

“Two officials of the Australian Consulate visited us at the hospital and assured us of their full support. We do not need any financial assistance. All I want is for the accused who committed this brutality against us to be punished so that such incidents do not occur in the future,” Adeel said.

“Look at the incompetence of the CCD personnel. When they saw that robbers were looting us, instead of waiting for the situation to unfold, they started firing. If firing was necessary, they should have done so after the robbers had finished their act. They are highly incompetent and lack professionalism,” he alleged.

He further claimed that the robbers did not initiate firing; rather, firing was started by CCD personnel. “The robbers fired only two bullets before fleeing.” He alleged that the officer was not alone and that two to three officers had opened fire on them.

“The government did not help us. We are not satisfied with the circumstances,” Adeel claimed in his audio message.

Meanwhile, CCD Chief Sohail Zaffar Chatha vowed a transparent inquiry and swift justice into the fatal shootout. Chatha visited the bereaved family on Sunday evening and offered his condolences. He also visited Hania’s grave and laid flowers on it after offering fateha.

Talking to reporters, Chatha termed the incident “highly shocking”.

“The incident occurred during a raid when CCD officials responded to an ongoing robbery. Both robbers hid behind the car and an exchange of fire took place. The robbers escaped after the shootout, but CCD officials could not see them fleeing as they ran in the opposite direction of the street. The official used excessive force based on a misjudgement, which deprived us of an innocent and beautiful life,” he said.

He maintained that his visit to the family was to assure them that the CCD would act as a neutral institution and would not shield its officials.

The senior police official added that Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code, dealing with murder, had been added to the FIR and that the court would now decide the matter.