In a tragic incident, a police officer was killed by the Pakistani Taliban while en route to protect polio vaccinators during a nationwide immunization campaign. The officer was attacked and fatally shot by two motorcyclists in Jamrud town, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Despite this violent act, the vaccination drive continued in the area.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries where polio remains endemic, and extremist groups have a history of targeting vaccination teams and their security personnel. The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack and also took possession of the officer’s weapon.
Last year, Pakistan reported a significant increase in polio cases compared to the previous year, with 73 infections in 2024. The ongoing vaccination campaign, which began this week, is crucial in combating the spread of the disease. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the violence and affirmed the government’s commitment to the anti-polio campaign.
Over the years, misinformation about the polio vaccine has led to attacks on vaccination workers and their escorts. Incidents like these have sparked fear and resistance in communities. The challenges posed by militant groups have been further exacerbated by the political situation in neighboring Afghanistan.
Despite the risks and challenges, health workers and security personnel continue to carry out vital vaccination efforts to protect children from polio. The attack on the police officer underscores the dangers faced by those involved in public health initiatives in conflict-affected regions.