PESHAWAR – Two police personnel were martyred and another sustained injuries when unidentified armed assailants opened fire on a police team deployed for security duties during an anti-polio vaccination campaign in Mohmand district on Tuesday.
The police officials said that the attack on anti-polio team took place in the Dag Tamanzai area, where the policemen were travelling to perform security duties for the ongoing anti-polio campaign.
The attackers opened fire on the personnel, leaving two of them critically wounded. Both policemen succumbed to their injuries at the scene, while another officer was injured in the attack.
The injured policeman was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, where he was provided with medical assistance. His condition was not immediately known.
Following the incident, the police and security personnel launched measures to track down those responsible for the attack. The police officials said the area had been cordoned off and checkpoints established at the different locations to prevent the suspects from escaping.
A search operation was also initiated to identify and arrest the assailants.
The attack has once again highlighted the security risks faced by law enforcement personnel assigned to protect vaccination teams during anti-polio campaigns, particularly in areas where armed groups have previously targeted security forces and health workers.
The police started an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and establish the identities and motives of the attackers.
Pakistan continued to face security challenges in carrying out nationwide polio vaccination campaigns as the police personnel regularly assigned to accompany health workers to ensure their safety and facilitate the administration of vaccine drops to children.
The attacks on vaccination teams and their security escorts have disrupted immunisation activities in several parts of the country in the past, posing additional challenges to the efforts aimed at eradicating the crippling disease.
The authorities have yet to announce any arrests in connection with the latest attack.
