Attacks targeting security personnel protecting polio teams continue to rise, as another police officer was killed in Surab district of Balochistan on Thursday — marking the third deadly attack on polio team security within a week.
According to Levies officials, the Balochistan Constabulary officer was deployed to protect a polio vaccination team when unidentified gunmen ambushed the personnel. The team was travelling from Kalat to Khuzdar after completing their duties for the nationwide anti-polio campaign.
The attackers opened fire, killing the officer on the spot. Security forces retaliated, killing one of the assailants during the exchange of fire. Law enforcement agencies later cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track the remaining suspects.
This marks the third attack on security personnel deployed for polio team protection during Pakistan’s ongoing nationwide vaccination campaign, which aims to immunize 45 million children across the country.
Earlier this week, a Levies officer in Swat and a policeman in Nowshera were shot dead in similar attacks on October 14 and 15.
Health officials and law enforcement authorities have condemned the recurring violence, calling for enhanced protection for polio teams and urging communities to support efforts to eradicate polio from Pakistan.
