Police, Rangers foil attack on vaccinators

The Punjab police and the Pakistan Rangers in a joint operation in Dera Ghazi Khan district thwarted a terrorist attack on polio vaccinators and killed two foreign terrorists on Tuesday, sources said.

Giving details of the incident, a source said that the attack on a polio campaign team took place in the Kot Mubarak area of the district. The police protection team accompanying the polio vaccinators fought back valiantly and shifted the polio team to a safe place.

In the meanwhile, the source said, Pakistan Rangers, Punjab, and police personnel on patrol in the area also reached the spot and "retaliated against the Khawarij". He added that an "intense exchange of fire took place that lasted for 40 minutes".

The sources confirmed that two foreigners were killed in the exchange of fire, while a rocket launcher, hand grenades, detonators and firearm along with a walkie-talkie were recovered from the possession of the dead terrorists.

"Later, the area was declared free from terrorists after a thorough search," the source said, adding: "Security forces and the law-enforcement agencies are committed to a successful conduct of the ongoing anti-polio campaign."