Two police officers providing security for polio teams killed in targeted attacks in Bajaur

Two policemen providing security to polio vaccination teams were martyred in separate targeted attacks in Bajaur, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Monday.

District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Khalid said The Express PK Press Club The first attack took place in the Qila Nazakai area of ​​Salarzai, where constable Syed Aziz, assigned to protect a polio team, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen and died on the spot.

“While authorities were carrying out investigations and search operations after the first attack, a second attack took place in Tabei village. Constable Syed Qadir Shah, who was returning from polio duty, was shot dead in an indiscriminate firing and succumbed to his injuries,” he said.

In Bajaur Police Lines, the bodies of the two policemen were buried with funeral prayers in the presence of Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Haji Sher Bahadur, Awami National Party leader Syed Sadiq Akbar, police and security officials and representatives of various local communities.

Learn more: Policeman martyred, four injured in attack on polio team in KP

Following the attacks, district authorities and police increased security in Salarzai and the wider Bajaur district. Search operations are continuing in the affected areas to apprehend the perpetrators.

KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the attacks, calling the incidents cowardly acts, and asked the Inspector General of Police to submit a detailed report.

“Targeting public servants who are performing a national duty is an extremely cowardly act. Terrorists will never succeed in realizing their nefarious intentions,” Afridi said.

He assured the families of the deceased that the provincial government would support them in their grief and provide them with all possible support.

Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the attacks, saying they were carried out by forces hostile to the country and humanity, supported by India.

“The terrorist attack which cost the lives of two police officers is deeply tragic,” he said.

He also praised the courage of the police personnel, adding, “The people of KP are proud of their martyrs and heroes in the police force. »

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan called the attacks “extremely cowardly acts” and condemned the incidents.

He paid tribute to the courage of the fallen police officers, saying, “The sacrifices of the brave KP police officers will always be remembered. »

The minister also assured the full support of the provincial government to the families of the deceased.

The incident occurred as the government launched a week-long polio vaccination campaign in 79 high-risk districts across the country, targeting more than 19 million children for polio shots.

Last month, a policeman was killed and four others were injured when gunmen opened fire on staff deployed to protect polio vaccination teams in Hangu, KP. In February, a police officer was also killed when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a polio vaccination team in the Roghani neighborhood of Chaman.

Polio workers, who carry out door-to-door vaccination campaigns, have often been targeted by militants, particularly in KP and Balochistan. In 2024 alone, at least 20 people were killed and 53 injured during anti-polio operations in the province.