The Crime Control Department (CCD) has acknowledged serious operational lapses in the Chakwal shooting that left a nine-year-old girl dead and two others injured, with a senior police official apologising to the affected family and pledging strict legal action against those responsible.

Speaking at the CCD Headquarters in Lahore, Regional Officer Shah Meer Khalid on Monday admitted that the officer involved failed to follow established standard operating procedures (SOPs).

He said the target was not properly identified before firing and that officers opened direct fire instead of targeting the vehicle’s tyres, resulting in civilian casualties.

“The prescribed SOPs were not followed in the Chakwal incident,” Shah Meer Khalid said.

He said a case had been registered immediately after the incident, including murder and other serious charges, and that the investigation was being conducted transparently.

According to the regional officer, the affected family has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing inquiry process. He added that the challan would be submitted to court within 72 hours.

Shah Meer Khalid assured that those found responsible would face strict punishment under the law and said efforts were underway to strengthen training protocols and review operational SOPs to prevent similar incidents in the future.

He also stressed that the Chakwal case would not be left unresolved like the 2019 Sahiwal tragedy and that all legal requirements would be fulfilled to ensure justice.