Two Policemen Guarding Polio Team Martyred in Balochistan’s Nushki

NUSHKI: Two policemen assigned to protect a polio vaccination team were martyred after unidentified armed men opened fire in Nushki district of Balochistan, police said Tuesday.

The deceased policemen were identified as Yasir Ahmed and Abdul Rauf, according to officials at Nushki City police station.

Police said the attackers fled after taking away the weapons of the two martyred officials.

Polio vaccination teams have faced attacks in parts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where security personnel are deployed to protect health workers during vaccination campaigns.

In May, two policemen were also martyred in separate attacks targeting polio vaccination teams in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Authorities have repeatedly stressed the need for security around vaccination teams as Pakistan continues efforts to eradicate polio.

The latest incident comes as Pakistan’s nationwide anti-polio campaign continues from September 21 to September 27.

During the campaign, approximately 31 million children are being administered polio vaccine drops across the country.

The campaign is part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to eliminate the crippling disease and prevent the spread of poliovirus.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to completely eradicating polio.

During a meeting with a delegation from the Gates Foundation in Islamabad on September 10, the prime minister said the national polio eradication programme had the support of the highest level of government.

He also acknowledged the role of the Gates Foundation in supporting polio eradication, healthcare, nutrition, financial inclusion and welfare initiatives in Pakistan.