Peshawar: Two policemen were killed and another injured on Tuesday when unidentified armed men opened fire on officers travelling to provide security for an anti polio vaccination campaign in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Mohmand district, police said.
The attack occurred near the Hashim Kor police check post in the Dag Tamanzai area of Pindiali tehsil.
Headquarters Deputy Superintendent of Police Liaquat Ali confirmed that the officers were en route to join a polio vaccination team when they came under fire.
According to police, the attackers were riding a motorcycle and fled following the shooting.
The deceased officers were identified as Zahoor and Fazal Rabi, while the injured policeman was identified as Sabir. Rescue 1122 personnel transported the casualties to Ghallanai Hospital.
District Police Officer Raza Muhammad Khan said that one suspected attacker was also injured in the incident. Police launched a search operation to identify and apprehend those responsible.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
The state officials condemn the attack
The President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the killing of the officers and offered condolences to their families.
He paid tribute to the police personnel assigned to protect vaccination workers, saying they were performing an important duty in safeguarding children's health.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the incident and called for stronger protection for polio vaccination teams and their security escorts.
According to health authorities, the campaign aims to vaccinate more than 4.5 million children across 27 districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Nationally, the vaccination drive is targeting approximately 24 million children.
Attacks continue to threaten vaccination campaigns
Police officers and health workers involved in polio vaccination campaigns repeatedly faced attacks in parts of Pakistan.
In September, two policemen were killed when armed assailants attacked a vaccination team in Balochistan's Noshki district.
Earlier in April, a police constable was killed and four others injured in an attack on personnel travelling to provide security for polio workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Hangu district.
The latest attack comes as Pakistan continues efforts to eliminate poliovirus transmission.
Authorities launched an investigation into Tuesday's attack, while efforts to identify and arrest the assailants are continuing.
