A Punjab Crime Control Department (CCD) constable has been found guilty by an inquiry of opening fire on a car without authorisation from senior officers, resulting in the death of nine-year-old Australian national Hania Ahmed in Chakwal, the investigation report has said.

The incident occurred on the night of June 10-11 outside the CCD police station in Chakwal city, where Adeel Ahmed, his wife and their two children were being robbed by two armed men.

The constable fired at Adeel’s vehicle, killing Hania and injuring Adeel and his son Afan.

The 200-page inquiry report, prepared by CCD Chakwal Sub-Inspector Muhammad Irfan, was submitted to the prosecutor’s office as a challan on July 28.

The constable told the investigators that he had been near the station’s main gate when he heard a commotion and saw two armed men robbing a white car.

He claimed one of the men fired at him, prompting him to return fire before taking cover behind a wall.

He further said the car fled towards Islamia Chowk and that he followed it on a private motorcycle after taking a lift, but could not locate the vehicle.

Duty Officer Inspector Jahanzeb Khan disputed his account, telling investigators that the constable had used the official sub-machine gun without permission from him or any senior officer.

He also said that the constable pursued the vehicle on a private motorcycle without authorisation. Three other officials at the station supported Khan’s account.

The inquiry rejected the constable’s claim of acting in private defence as “completely wrong and contrary to facts”.

Investigators recovered 14 pistol casings and 13 Kalashnikov casings from the scene.

The report cited 34 witnesses. Ahmed Nawaz, who said he knew the constable, told investigators he saw him outside the station firing 12 to 14 shots consecutively at a car.

He later learnt that the family inside was related to him.

A final Punjab Forensic Science Agency opinion on the bullets that struck Hania, Adeel and Afan, as well as blood samples, remains pending.

A police officer said that the formal trial was expected to begin in September after court holidays in August.