A tragic incident occurred on Monday when unidentified gunmen opened fire on an anti-polio team in the Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in the death of a police officer who was providing security for the vaccination effort.
The attack took place on the inaugural day of Pakistan’s first national anti-polio campaign of the year, aimed at vaccinating 45 million children across the country. The campaign is scheduled to run from February 3 to 9.
Following the attack, authorities confirmed that the body of the slain officer was promptly transported to a hospital for medical procedures.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have launched a manhunt to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act.
This year’s anti-polio campaign is particularly crucial as it aims to protect children from the debilitating disease amid rising cases of poliovirus. The Ministry of National Health has set ambitious vaccination targets, including over 23.3 million children in Punjab, 7.3 million in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 2.66 million in Balochistan.
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Despite ongoing security threats, officials are committed to ensuring the campaign’s success and safeguarding health workers, who face increased risks in certain areas. The government has pledged to enhance security measures to protect those involved in the vaccination efforts.
