Officials Call Incident a Serious Operational Failure
LAHORE: Punjab Police and the Crime Control Department (CCD) on Thursday acknowledged serious mistakes in the fatal shooting of a nine-year-old girl in Chakwal, pledging a transparent investigation and vowing not to defend or conceal the actions of those responsible.
The incident occurred earlier this month when CCD personnel opened fire on a family vehicle after allegedly mistaking it for a car used by robbers. The shooting killed nine-year-old Hania and injured her father and brother.
Addressing a press conference, Punjab Inspector General of Police Abdul Karim described the tragedy as deeply painful and assured the public that authorities would thoroughly investigate the case. He said all evidence of negligence would be documented and presented before the courts to ensure accountability.
Furthermore, Karim stressed that public institutions could only maintain trust by openly acknowledging their mistakes and allowing investigations to proceed independently.
Training Deficiencies Blamed for Fatal Error
Punjab CCD Additional Inspector General Sohail Zafar Chattha termed the incident a case of “criminal negligence,” admitting that inadequate training played a major role in the officer’s failure to assess the situation correctly.
He said the tragedy had embarrassed both the CCD and Punjab Police and highlighted the urgent need for improved training and operational standards. According to officials, the department has already begun identifying weaknesses in its training system and developing measures to prevent similar incidents.
Chattha emphasized that the CCD stood with the victim’s family and would not offer sympathy or institutional protection to the officer facing murder charges.
Legal Proceedings and International Attention
Officials confirmed that the challan against the arrested officer would be completed within a week and submitted to the court for further legal action.
Meanwhile, the case has drawn international attention. Earlier this week, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for a transparent investigation into Hania’s death, expressing sympathy for the family and stressing the importance of a thorough and impartial inquiry.
Authorities reiterated their commitment to justice, accountability, and reforms aimed at preventing future tragedies involving law enforcement personnel.
