A police constable was martyred and four others injured when terrorists attacked a law enforcement team assigned to provide security for polio vaccinators in Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday.
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The incident occurred in Thall tehsil on the opening day of a nationwide anti-polio campaign running from April 13 to 19. According to district police, unidentified militants launched a sudden ???? on the police party, resulting in one martyrdom and multiple injuries.
The injured personnel were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Security officials confirmed that the police responded swiftly, and according to Kohat Deputy Inspector General Irfan Tariq, at least two attackers were killed in the retaliatory action. However, the assailants reportedly managed to retrieve the bodies of their accomplices before fleeing the scene.
Law enforcement agencies have launched a search operation in the area to trace those responsible for the attack. Police officials reaffirmed that the ongoing polio vaccination drive would continue without interruption, stating that such incidents would not deter national efforts.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the attack, calling the targeting of personnel on national duty a “cowardly act.” He sought a detailed report from the provincial police chief and directed authorities to ensure the best medical care for the injured officers. The provincial government also pledged full support to the family of the martyred constable.
Attacks on polio teams and their security escorts remain a persistent challenge in parts of Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Militants frequently target vaccination campaigns, which involve door-to-door immunisation efforts.
Earlier this year, a similar attack in Chaman district of Balochistan resulted in the death of a police officer guarding a vaccination team.
Despite improved security measures in recent years, officials report that dozens of police personnel, health workers, and civilians have been killed or injured in attacks linked to polio campaigns over the past decade.
Pakistan remains one of only two countries in the world, alongside Afghanistan, where Polio is still endemic. Ongoing challenges, including security threats, vaccine hesitancy, and misinformation, continue to hinder eradication efforts.
