Perth community in mourning after nine-year-old girl shot and 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 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was providing consular assistance.

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 of an Australian who was killed and to two Australians injured in Pakistan.

“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.

More to come.