An Australian girl has been shot dead and two of her relatives wounded after police in Pakistan opened fire during an attempted robbery response in the eastern province of Punjab, prompting demands from Canberra for a full and transparent investigation.

Punjab police said officers were called after reports that armed robbers had intercepted a family’s car and were holding its occupants at gunpoint. According to a statement from the provincial Crime Control Department, officers arriving at the scene believed the assailants were trying to escape in the victims’ vehicle.

“In the ensuing chaos, the officer involved mistakenly assessed that the suspects were attempting to flee in the victims’ vehicle and discharged his weapon,” the statement said. “This erroneous decision resulted in the tragic death of 10-year-old Hania and injuries to her father and brother.”

Local authorities said a criminal complaint filed by the girl’s father has been registered and the officer who fired the shots has been arrested. He has appeared before a court and was remanded in custody while investigations continue. Police officials have pledged what they described as a thorough and impartial inquiry, stressing that the use of force must comply with operational protocols even in high-risk situations.

Australian media reported that the family, originally from Perth in Western Australia, had been visiting relatives in Pakistan when the shooting occurred. The trip, intended as a family visit, ended in tragedy on a roadside in Punjab.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who said the child was nine years old, told reporters that his government expects clear answers from Pakistani authorities. He called for “transparency and a proper investigation of these circumstances,” noting that not only had a young girl lost her life but other family members had been seriously injured.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian citizen killed overseas and to two others who were wounded. Consular officials are liaising with Pakistani authorities as well as relatives in Australia.

Punjab police said they were “deeply saddened” by the incident and acknowledged that operating in dangerous environments does not excuse failures in judgment. The case has intensified scrutiny of police conduct in Pakistan and raised fresh questions about training and rules of engagement when officers confront armed crime in crowded civilian areas.