Police polio escort martyred

PESHAWAR:

The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed the killing of a police officer as he travelled Monday to guard polio vaccinators on the first day of a nationwide immunisation effort after a year of rising cases.

According to police spokesperson Zaheer Ahmed, unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on the officer in the Ghundi area near Sakhi Pul.

"The constable, identified as Abdul Khalid, was on his way to guard a polio team when he was martyred," he said, adding that an investigation was underway.

Another police official, Zarmat Khan, told AFP that the polio vaccination drive remains ongoing despite the attack.

He said that the officer was travelling to guard polio vaccinators in the area of Jamrud town in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when he was killed.

"Two motorcycle riders opened fire on him," he said. "The constable died instantly at the scene."

The proscribed TTP claimed responsibility for the killing, adding that the militants also "seized" the slain officer's weapon.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also strongly condemned two separate attacks on polio vaccination teams in the Bakrabad and Jamrud areas of K-P.

The prime minister expresses deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of police personnel assigned to protect the polio teams, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

The prime minister prayed for the departed souls and for strength and patience for their families.

"The entire nation salutes the polio workers who risk their lives to be part of the campaign to eradicate polio from the country," he added.

The prime minister said that the sacrifices of polio teams and the security personnel protecting them would not go in vain.

He further said the anti-polio campaign would continue with full determination despite all challenges, adding that they were committed to completely eradicating polio from the country.

Abdul Hameed Afridi, another senior police official in the area, also confirmed details of the attack and said officers have "launched an investigation".

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack in Jamrud in a post on X, offering condolences and stating: "We salute the duty of martyred Constable Abdul Khaliq while on duty to secure the future of our children."

(With input from AFP)