Militants Kill Police Officer Guarding Polio Team in Pakistan
Suspected militants opened fire on a vehicle carrying police officers assigned to protect polio vaccination workers in northwestern Pakistan, killing one officer and wounding four others. The attack occurred in the Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan, shortly after Pakistan launched its second nationwide anti-polio campaign of the year. Police returned fire during the incident, resulting in the deaths of two attackers, who then fled the scene. While no group immediately claimed responsibility, suspicion falls on the Pakistani Taliban and local militant factions known for targeting health initiatives in the region. This violence underscores the persistent security challenges facing eradication efforts in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the only two countries where polio remains endemic. First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari urged families to participate in the weeklong drive, which aims to vaccinate over 45 million children under five. The campaign is being conducted in coordination with Afghanistan to interrupt cross-border transmission. The incident highlights the dangerous intersection of public health efforts and ongoing regional instability, as health workers and their security details continue to face lethal threats while attempting to eliminate the disease.
Wire timeline
Militants Kill Police Officer Guarding Polio Team in Pakistan
Suspected militants opened fire on a vehicle carrying police officers assigned to protect polio vaccination workers in northwestern Pakistan, killing one officer and wounding four others. The attack occurred in the Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan, shortly after Pakistan launched its second nationwide anti-polio campaign of the year. Police returned fire during the incident, resulting in the deaths of two attackers, who then fled the scene. While no group immediately claimed responsibility, suspicion falls on the Pakistani Taliban and local militant factions known for targeting health initiatives in the region. This violence underscores the persistent security challenges facing eradication efforts in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the only two countries where polio remains endemic. First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari urged families to participate in the weeklong drive, which aims to vaccinate over 45 million children under five. The campaign is being conducted in coordination with Afghanistan to interrupt cross-border transmission. The incident highlights the dangerous intersection of public health efforts and ongoing regional instability, as health workers and their security details continue to face lethal threats while attempting to eliminate the disease.
AP News