The fight against polio in Pakistan has been met with yet another deadly attack as militants targeted a police officer assigned to protect Polio Vaccination teams.
On the first day of a nationwide immunization campaign, a policeman was shot dead in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, highlighting the persistent threats faced by health workers and security personnel.
The Pakistani Taliban quickly claimed responsibility for the attack, reigniting fears over the safety of those dedicated to eradicating the crippling disease.
A Deadly Attack on a Lifesaving Mission
Pakistan remains one of the last two countries in the world where polio is endemic, and vaccination campaigns are crucial in the effort to eliminate the disease. However, these efforts have often been met with violence.
The slain officer was traveling to protect a team of polio vaccinators in Jamrud town when two unidentified motorcycle riders ambushed him. The attack was swift, leaving the officer dead on the spot.
Security forces in country play a vital role in ensuring the safety of vaccination workers, who go door-to-door in some of the most volatile regions of the country.
Over the years, numerous healthcare workers and security escorts have lost their lives to militant attacks. Despite the ongoing threat, authorities continue to push forward with immunization efforts, as the consequences of polio outbreaks are too severe to ignore.
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Following the attack, local police launched an investigation, and senior officials reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the vaccination drive.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the violence, stating that the government remains resolute in its mission to eliminate polio. However, the attack serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by those working on the front lines of public health in Pakistan.
The Resurgence of Polio and Growing Militancy
Pakistan has seen a worrying resurgence of polio cases in recent years. In 2023, only six cases were recorded, but in 2024, the number surged to at least 73.
The sudden spike has raised concerns among health officials, prompting urgent vaccination efforts. Despite advancements in global polio eradication, Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan remain the last strongholds of the disease.
The increase in polio cases has coincided with a rise in militant attacks across Pakistan. Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, security conditions in Pakistan have deteriorated significantly. The Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has intensified its attacks, often targeting security personnel and government workers.
Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul’s Taliban government of harboring militants who orchestrate attacks inside country. However, the Afghan authorities deny these claims. The deteriorating security situation has made it even more difficult to carry out essential health programs in Pakistan’s conflict-ridden regions.
Despite these challenges, health officials remain committed to immunizing children against polio. The oral vaccine is a simple and effective way to prevent the disease, yet misinformation and militant propaganda continue to hinder vaccination efforts.
In the past, clerics and extremist groups falsely claimed that the vaccine contained pork or alcohol, making it forbidden for Muslims. While public awareness campaigns have helped counter these myths, militants now primarily target the police officers accompanying vaccination teams.
Escalating Violence Against Health Workers and Security Forces
The murder of the police officer in Jamrud is just one of many attacks on polio vaccination teams in Pakistan. Militants have long viewed these immunization efforts as a threat, linking them to Western conspiracies and espionage. As a result, vaccination teams often require armed escorts to ensure their safety while traveling through volatile regions.
In November 2023, a bomb attack near a school in Balochistan killed seven people, including five children, as police officers gathered to protect vaccinators.
The attack underscored the severe risks faced by security forces and health workers involved in the polio eradication drive. Balochistan, the most sparsely populated province of Pakistan, also recorded the highest number of polio cases in 2024.
The Pakistani Taliban’s claim of responsibility for the latest attack raises fresh concerns about the safety of vaccination teams in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and beyond. Despite heightened security measures, militants continue to exploit weaknesses, targeting police officers who play a crucial role in protecting health workers.
The rise in violence has also had a demoralizing effect on security personnel. Last year, dozens of police officers assigned to guard vaccination teams went on strike after repeated attacks on their colleagues. The government has struggled to address these concerns while ensuring that immunization campaigns proceed without disruption.
Pakistan’s battle against polio is not just a health crisis—it is also a security challenge. As militants continue to target vaccination efforts, the country faces a difficult road ahead in its mission to eliminate the disease.
The attack in Jamrud is a tragic reminder of the risks faced by those working to protect Pakistan’s children from polio. Yet, despite these dangers, health workers and security forces remain determined to carry out their lifesaving mission.
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