Two policemen martyred in attack during polio campaign in Mohmand

Two policemen were killed and one injured when gunmen ambushed their vehicle while en route to assist a polio vaccination team in Mohmand district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday, according to police sources. Deputy Superintendent of Police Liaquat Ali confirmed the details, stating that the attack occurred near the Hashim Kor police checkpost in the Dag Tamanzai area of Pindiali tehsil. The deceased officers were identified as Constables Zahoor Khan and Arbai Khan, while Sepoy Sabir Khan suffered injuries.

Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed his regret over the abduction of four polio workers in Tank district the previous day, directing authorities to take immediate action for their safe recovery. He described the incident as "extremely regrettable and condemnable" and emphasized the government's responsibility to ensure the security of polio teams, which play a crucial role in protecting children and promoting a healthy Pakistan. The governor stressed that targeting such workers is "against humanity and national interest."

These events coincide with the commencement of a nationwide sub-national polio vaccination campaign on Sunday, aiming to immunize nearly 24 million children in 97 high-risk districts. Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only two countries where polio is still endemic. Pakistan reported its eighth polio case of the year on Sunday, involving a 13-month-old girl from Khyber district. Of the eight cases, six occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including four in Bannu division, and two in Sindh.

In July, two policemen were killed when armed assailants targeted a polio vaccination team in Balochistan's Noshki. In April, a police constable was martyred, and four others were injured in an attack on law enforcement personnel providing security for polio teams in Mohmand district.