Polio team attacked in Bajaur as nationwide campaign continues
Two people, including a police constable, were killed in an attack on a polio team in Bajaur as Pakistan’s nationwide vaccination campaign entered its second day.
BAJAUR (Web Desk) - At least two people, including a police constable, were killed on Tuesday when unidentified assailants opened fire on a polio vaccination team in the Salarzai tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district, police said.
The attack occurred on the second day of the nationwide polio campaign, which was launched a day earlier and is scheduled to run until December 21.
Police Public Relations Officer Israr Khan confirmed that the incident took place in the Thangi area, where Constable Sajad Ahmed, deployed to protect the vaccination team, succumbed to critical injuries. A civilian passerby was also killed after attempting to chase the attackers. The assailants managed to escape, and a search operation is underway.
Khan said no polio workers were harmed in the attack.
— Yar Muhammad Khan Niazi (@YarMKNiazi) December 16, 2025
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the incident, calling it an assault on humanity and national responsibility, and vowed that the vaccination campaign would continue without disruption.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also denounced the attack, expressing grief over the loss of the police constable and pledging to bring the perpetrators to justice.
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) December 16, 2025
Pakistan remains one of only two countries, along with Afghanistan, where polio is still endemic. Authorities say security threats, misinformation, and vaccine hesitancy continue to hinder eradication efforts.
