One martyred as polio team attacked in Bajaur

Security official was returning from polio duty when attacked

PESHAWAR: An attack on a polio vaccination team martyred a security official in the Badan area of Bajaur tribal district.

The security official, a levies personnel, was returning from polio duty when unidentified gunmen opened fire.

The area was cordoned off after the attack and a search operation was launched.

With the first polio-virus case recorded in the province in over a year, officials involved in the anti-polio campaigns have decided to further focus their activities to get rid of the crippling virus.



Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) health officials have stated that while only one such case has been reported in 2018 so far, they will not be taking it lightly as the case poses a serious threat to the entire program, adding that since the virus is circulating in the environment, activities will be further expanded to curb the virus’ movement.

So far in 2018, as many as four polio-virus cases have been reported across the country. Hence, a comprehensive campaign is being launched from Monday (today) where over 5.7 million children under five-years-of-age will be vaccinated against the virus.

Apart from anti-polio drops, children will also be administered vitamin-A drops.

The decision was taken after preparedness reports were received from districts.