In a tragic incident underscoring the persistent dangers faced by health workers, a police officer and a civilian were martyred in a terrorist attack on an anti-polio vaccination team in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Bajaur district on Tuesday.
Details of the Attack
The assault took place in the Tangi area of Salarzai tehsil. According to police officials, unidentified assailants opened fire on the polio vaccination team while it was conducting a routine immunization campaign. The team was under police protection as part of standard security protocols for such drives.
The firing resulted in critical injuries to a police officer assigned to protect the team and a civilian. Both victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, both the officer and the civilian succumbed to their wounds.
Following the attack, law enforcement agencies swiftly cordoned off the area and launched a comprehensive investigation to track down the perpetrators. Security measures across the region have been intensified to safeguard other polio workers and ensure the vaccination campaign can proceed.
National Condemnation and Resolve
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a strong statement condemning the terrorist attack. He expressed profound grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of the police officer and the death of the civilian.
The Prime Minister prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and for patience and strength to be granted to the bereaved families. He also directed the relevant authorities to identify and apprehend those responsible for this heinous act at the earliest.
"The attack on individuals working tirelessly to eradicate polio in the country was deplorable," PM Sharif emphasized. He reaffirmed the nation's unwavering commitment, stating, "The polio campaign will continue across the country until the disease is completely eliminated."
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also condemned the attack through his spokesperson. He vowed to bring the attackers to justice and asserted that such acts of violence would not be allowed to disrupt the vital vaccination campaign.
A Persistent Threat
This attack is not an isolated event. Polio vaccinators and their security escorts in Pakistan have long been targeted by militant groups opposing the immunization campaigns. The province has witnessed significant violence in 2024 alone, with 20 people killed and 53 others injured during various immunization drives.
As of now, no group has immediately claimed responsibility for Tuesday's assault in Bajaur. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges in the fight against polio. Pakistan has recorded 30 polio cases so far this year, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounting for 19 of them, the highest number in the country.
The government's resolve remains firm, balancing the critical need for public health initiatives with the immense security risks faced by those on the front lines of disease eradication.
