Tragedy strikes: Police officer martyred in terrorist attack on anti-Polio team in Khyber

PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s 2025 anti-polio campaign began today with a tragic and alarming start as terrorists ambushed a vaccination team in Khyber District, martyring a police officer assigned to their security. The attack, which took place in Bakar Abad, underscores the persistent threat to polio workers and law enforcement officials battling not just disease, but also violence and misinformation.

According to District Police Officer (DPO) Rai Mazhar Iqbal, armed assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on the polio team, killing police officer Abdul Khaliq, while the vaccination staff miraculously escaped unharmed. Police recovered two empty 30-bore shells from the scene, and a manhunt is now underway to apprehend the attackers.

The seven-day polio vaccination campaign commenced across the district, with 945 polio teams aiming to immunize over 200,000 children against the crippling disease. However, on February 3, armed assailants ambushed one of the teams, resulting in the martyrdom of police officer Abdul Khaliq, who was deployed to provide security.

Police officials confirmed that the attackers, riding a motorcycle, opened fire on the polio team before fleeing the scene. Fortunately, the polio workers remained unharmed, but the attack underscores the persistent threat posed by extremists to Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts. Two empty 30-bore shells were recovered from the crime scene.

Following the attack, a heavy contingent of police personnel was dispatched to the area, and operations were launched at multiple locations to track down and arrest the terrorists. Authorities have not yet confirmed any arrests, but security has been intensified across the district.

Meanwhile, the Health Department, on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the polio campaign in Bakar Abad has been temporarily suspended following the attack. This disruption could pose a significant risk to the success of the campaign, potentially leaving thousands of children vulnerable to the virus.

Polio Teams Under Fire: A Recurring Threat

This attack is part of a disturbing pattern of violence against polio workers and security personnel in Pakistan. Over the years, dozens of health workers and police officers have lost their lives while participating in vaccination drives. Militants continue to target polio teams, falsely linking the vaccination effort to foreign conspiracies.

Despite these threats, Pakistan remains committed to eradicating polio. In 2024, the country reported 73 polio cases, while the first case of 2025 was confirmed on January 22 in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The government, with the support of international partners such as WHO, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is determined to achieve polio-free status.

Urgent Calls for Protection and Action

The tragic martyrdom of Abdul Khaliq has reignited demands for greater security measures for polio teams operating in high-risk regions. Experts stress that strengthening law enforcement and intelligence networks is essential to ensuring the safety of both health workers and security personnel.

The attack in Khyber serves as a stark reminder that the fight against polio is not just a battle against disease, but also against fear, misinformation, and terrorism.