Cop martyred in Pishin polio team attack

Police cordons off the area, begin search operation

QUETTA:

A policeman guarding a polio vaccination team in Pishin was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Tuesday.

The incident took place when armed militants opened fire at the polio team, leaving the policeman, identified as Muhammad Hashim, dead. His body was shifted to Quetta for medico-legal formalities.

However, the vaccination team remained unhurt in the attack in the Trat area of Pishin.

Deputy Commissioner Pishin Dr Yasir Khan Bazai said the armed men opened fire at the polio team and sped away on their motorcycle from the spot.

Police reached the scene of crime as an investigation into the incident went underway.

An anti-polio campaign is underway in all districts of Balochistan to provide anti-polio drops to children under the age of five years.

It may be noted here that the Balochistan government has tightened security during the five-day anti-polio campaign to avert any untoward incident.

Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Quddus Bizenjo has strongly condemned the incident and directed deputy commissioner Pishin to submit a report and arrest the culprits involved in the attack.

Home Minister Balochistan Mir Ziaullah Langove has ordered the formation of a special team to arrest the culprits behind the assault.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident of firing, a Levies officer Zaheer Ahmed was killed during an exchange of fire with anti-social elements.

The Levies force had raided a house located on the outskirts of the Mastung district of Balochistan.

As a result of the exchange of fire, Zaheer Ahmed, the Naib Risaldar of Levies was killed, sources said.

Two accused involved in the firing were also injured during the exchange of fire.

The injured elements were arrested by levies force, levies sources concluded.