Polio team fired on in Quetta, two female workers killed

CM Balochistan condemns attack, calls it an act of cowardice

QUETTA: A polio team was fired upon by unidentified assailants in Quetta's Shalkot area, on Thursday, leading to the death of two female polio workers.

The community health worker, who was killed, has been identified as Sakeena. She was accompanied by her daughter, who also died in the attack.



Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Abdul Qudus Bizenjo condemned the attack on the polio team. Calling the attack an act of cowardice and terrorism, Bizenjo said, "an attack on those working to serve the people is an attack on humanity."

"Those who make innocent people a target of terror are enemies of humanity and deserve the worst punishment," he added further.

He called for strict security to be provided to the polio workers in the province and told IG Police that all resources should be used to arrest the assailants.

In November, police arrested two women for allegedly thrashing and manhandling a polio team in Multan.

In October, polio team's security was attacked in Bajaur Agency. At least three Levy personnel were injured when an improvised explosive device went off after coming in contact with their vehicle.

PM condemns attack on polio team

Strongly condemned the attack on the polio team in Quetta, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has called for a report on the incident from the Chief Secretary and IG Balochistan.



Expressing sympathies with the bereaved families, he observed that polio teams were rendering a huge national service to save our children from the crippling disease.

PM Abbasi also directed the Balochistan government to provide foolproof security to the polio teams.