Policeman Killed While Guarding Polio Vaccination Team

Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – A police officer assigned to protect polio vaccination workers was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen in the Nizampur area on Wednesday, local authorities confirmed.

The attack occurred on the third day of an ongoing anti-polio campaign, which targets approximately 45 million children across the region. According to police, two armed assailants opened fire on the officer, who was guarding the team, and then fled the scene. The vaccination workers were unharmed.

Local police spokesperson Bilal Khan stated, “Two militants targeted the policeman protecting the polio team. He was killed instantly.” Authorities have launched a search operation to apprehend the attackers.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the incident, emphasizing that attacks on vaccination teams working to protect children’s health would not be tolerated. He paid tribute to the fallen officer, Maqsood, and extended condolences to his family.

Polio remains endemic in Pakistan, one of only two countries worldwide still battling the disease alongside Afghanistan. The country saw a sharp rise in polio cases last year, reporting 74 infections compared to just six in 2023. This year, 29 cases have already been documented, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reporting the highest number at 18.

Polio is a contagious virus primarily affecting children under five and can cause irreversible paralysis. However, it can be effectively prevented through an oral vaccine administered in just a few drops.

This attack follows closely on the heels of a recent HPV vaccination campaign aimed at protecting Pakistani girls from cervical cancer, a program also challenged by misinformation and public resistance.

Read More:Hundreds of Thousands Missed in Pakistan’s Polio Drive

Pakistan’s recent anti-polio campaign fell short of reaching all targeted children, leaving more than 420,000 unvaccinateTd. he vaccination drive took place from September 1 to 7 across 81 districts nationwide. Officials reported nearly 98 percent coverage, but many children still missed the polio drops. This gap shows ongoing challenges in eliminating polio from the country.

Gilgit-Baltistan reported the highest vaccination rate at 101 percent, exceeding its target. Punjab had the lowest coverage at 97 percent. Other regions including Islamabad, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Azad Kashmir all reached about 98 percent coverage. Despite these figures, many children were left unvaccinated, highlighting gaps in campaign reach and access.