A team that conducted a validation survey for a vaccination campaign against Polyomyelitis in Tighten, an additional district of Diamer, Gilgit-Baltistan, was attacked and threatened by armed assailants on Sunday, according to media reports.
The incident, which officials say it was linked to the presence of female members of the team, occurred when the team returned after completing their assigned field work.
According to the first information report (FIR) presented at the Jaglot Police Station, the team had been working in the area for two days, verifying vaccination coverage.
Upon his return through the RIC bridge around 2:45 pm, two armed people intercepted their vehicle, emitting verbal threats and accusing the team to alter the cultural environment of the region by bringing “Gilgit revealed women.”
According to the reports, one of the attackers shot the vehicle, damaging one of its tires before both suspects flee to the nearby mountains.
Also read: Two polio workers kidnapped in the KP Tanks District
GB government spokesman Faizullah Faraq clarified that the attack was not linked to the opposition to the polio campaign itself, but to the public presence of women’s team members.
“The polio team had entered to tighten without prior coordination. Ideally, the team should have informed the district administration and police,” he said.
All team members, including the Billal Zonal Coach, Health Worker Kainat Hussain and Dnan, Iqbal and Muhammad Hussain drivers, were unharmed. They quickly moved to a safe place after the attack, according to the reports.
GB Prime Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has ordered the police to take immediate measures to detain unidentified attackers. Faraq said that the Polyomyelitis vaccination campaign would continue as planned, with additional security measures to protect health workers in sensitive areas.
Read more: Saudi Arabia compromises $ 500 million to end polyomyelitis in Pakistan, Afghanistan
Previously, the first case of wild poliovirus was reported in diameter. The case, verified by the regional reference laboratory for the eradication of polyomyelitis at the National Health Institute (NIH), is the eleventh confirmed case of wild poliovirus in the country until now in 2025.
Last week, a police officer was martyred and another wounded officer when unidentified assailants opened fire against a vaccination team against Polyomyelitis in Nushki, Baluchistan. The team was doing a routine immunization work when the attack occurred.
