2 killed in attack on Pakistan polio team

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - At least two people, including a constable, were killed in an attack on a polio team in Pakistan on Tuesday, officials and police said.

The attack took place in the Bajaur district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) province, killing the policeman guarding the polio team and one civilian.

It came a day after the government initiated the final polio campaign of 2025, which is set to run until Dec. 21. More than 400,000 vaccinators are expected to administer two drops of polio vaccine to children under the age of five.

Israr Khan, a police spokesperson, told the Dawn newspaper that constable Sajad Ahmed died after sustaining critical injuries, while the civilian was shot dead by armed men when he attempted to chase after the assailants.

Khan said the assailants managed to escape and the police launched a search operation, adding that no polio workers were harmed.

K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the attack, vowed to bring the attackers to justice and said the vaccination campaign will not be allowed to be disrupted, according to a statement by his spokesperson.

Polio vaccinators in Pakistan have been previously targeted by militants. In 2024, 20 people were killed, and 53 others injured during immunization campaigns in the province.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack and pledged to hold the perpetrators to account.

Pakistan has recorded 30 polio cases so far this year, with the highest number of cases in K-P at 19.