India, June 16 -- A 9-year-old Australian girl of Pakistani origin was killed in Pakistan's Punjab province after police allegedly opened fire on a family vehicle during an operation against armed robbers, in what authorities described as a case of mistaken identity.

The incident took place in Chakwal district, around 300 km from Lahore, when the family was reportedly travelling in a rental car during a holiday visit. According to police accounts, armed robbers had earlier taken the family hostage before a rescue operation was launched.

During the operation, a shootout broke out between police and the suspects. Authorities said officers mistakenly believed the family's vehicle was being used by fleeing robbers and opened fire, resulting...