PESHAWAR: An anti-polio worker was shot dead and another injured when unknown gunmen targeted both, during routine duty in Bajaur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Friday, according to information collected from the local police.
The deceased coordinator later shifted to Peshawar for treatment however, he succumbed to his injured. The other worker received treatment at the local hospital. Soon after the incident the unidentified militants fled the spot-on motor bike.
Targeting polio worker by the militants is a major concern in North and Western Pakistan. Along with the militant threat, some the religious clerics also spread negative propaganda against vaccination resulting a challenging situation for the masses over there including both sides of the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Polio and Militancy
Militants in North and North Western Pakistan frequently target anti-polio workers and supporting staff associated with the vaccination teams. In addition, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries where the polio virus still causing threats and remains endemic.
Apart from attacks on anti-polio workers, the areas near the Pak-Afghan border in KP and Baluchistan remained sensitive in recent times. Last week another incident of a roadside bomb blast killed seven officers in Bajaur who were deployed to protect polio vaccination workers and staff.
