In a tragic and cowardly act of violence, a police constable was martyred and one terrorist killed during an attack on a polio vaccination team in the Azam Warsak area of South Waziristan on Monday.
According to police sources, terrorists ambushed the polio team, unleashing heavy gunfire. Security personnel escorting the team responded swiftly, resulting in a 30-minute exchange of fire. One terrorist, identified as Afnan, was neutralized while others fled the scene.
Law enforcement officials recovered key evidence from the slain terrorist, including two CNICs, three ATM cards, and a mobile phone. Additionally, an SMG, a rocket launcher, and two motorcycles were seized from the fleeing attackers.
The martyred constable was assigned to protect the polio workers, highlighting the continued threat faced by health teams in conflict-prone regions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling it an attack on humanity itself. He expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of the constable and ordered immediate medical aid for any injured. The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to bringing the attackers to justice, stating: “Those who target health workers and their protectors are enemies of the nation and humanity.”
The attack underscores the persistent challenges in ensuring the safety of polio eradication efforts in Pakistan’s tribal areas.
