According to local government sources, a policeman protecting a polio vaccination team was shot and killed in Pakistan on Tuesday. This is the latest fatality in the brutal effort to end the disease.During a week-long nationwide polio vaccination campaign that aims to immunise 25 million children, the incident happened in the Balochistani district of Pishin.
Along with its neighbour Afghanistan, Pakistan is one of just two nations where polio is still prevalent and vaccination teams are routinely attacked by militants.The policeman was shot by gunmen riding a motorcycle, according to Yasir Bazai, the district’s deputy commissioner, who died at the scene.
Abdul Haleem, a district police officer, confirmed the occurrence.Although there was no instant admission of guilt, terrorist organisations have in the past murdered numerous polio vaccine workers and their security guards.The first incidence of polio in 15 months was reported in Pakistan in April. According to the government-funded End Polio Pakistan campaign, 20 cases have already been reported.
