Two people were killed when an attack on a polio vaccination team in Bajaur district took place last Friday, including one assigned as security. This incident happened during an immunization drive aimed at protecting children against this crippling disease.

Local officials reported that while conducting door-to-door vaccinations, an unidentified gunmen opened fire on security personnel escorting workers. One police constable was killed instantly while another died later due to his injuries sustained from being hit with gunfire from their attackers, prompting a massive security operation in the area.

Bajaur, located within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), has seen repeated attacks against polio workers for several years now, despite increased security arrangements and improved vaccination teams being targeted by militant groups opposed to immunization efforts. Authorities suspect these attacks are intended to disrupt public health campaigns while creating fear among workers and local communities alike.

Law enforcement agencies responded swiftly and launched an intensive search operation against those involved, while security checkpoints were reinforced for additional protection of health workers in nearby localities and vaccination activities were temporarily suspended to protect health professionals; officials stated resumption decisions will be determined after conducting a security review.

Government officials, health authorities and civil society organizations all expressed outrage at this attack on humanity and public health. Provincial leaders described it as an attack against humanity and public health efforts designed to protect children from preventable disease – as violence directed against polio teams undermines these efforts. One official commented, targeting these workers “would be like targeting our collective future”.

Pakistan remains one of the few nations in which polio has not yet been eradicated, according to health experts. They warn that continued insecurity in hard-to-reach and conflict-prone regions presents a major barrier in terms of eliminating this virus; each attack disrupts immunization drives and discourages families from inviting vaccinators into their homes, increasing risk of virus transmission.

Colleagues remembered the police officer killed in the attack as an exceptional public servant who had selflessly undertaken security duties despite knowing risks. Officials paid tribute to his sacrifice while funeral prayers were held under tight security as communities grieved their loss.

International health organizations and partners expressed grave concern at this incident, calling for stronger protection measures for vaccination teams. They underscored how global polio eradication is everyone’s shared responsibility and that attacks against health workers could reverse decades-long progress made towards this goal.

As Pakistan continues to fight polio, the Bajaur attack serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. Authorities have assured that such violence will not disrupt vaccination efforts and maintain that campaigns will continue until every child is protected – while prioritizing protecting those risking their lives to deliver lifesaving vaccines remains of utmost importance.