Two policemen providing security to polio teams killed in targeted attacks in Bajaur

Two police officers providing security to polio vaccination teams were martyred in separate targeted attacks in Bajaur in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Monday.

District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Khalid said The express PAkGazette The first attack occurred in the Qila Nazakai area of ​​Salarzai, where constable Syed Aziz, assigned to protect an anti-polio team, was shot by unidentified gunmen and died on the spot.

“While authorities were carrying out investigations and search operations after the first attack, a second attack occurred in Tabei village. Constable Syed Qadir Shah, who was returning from polio duty, was shot indiscriminately and succumbed to his injuries,” he said.

At the Bajaur police lines, the bodies of the two officers were buried with funeral prayers attended by Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali, Pakistan People’s Party President Haji Sher Bahadur, Awami National Party leader Syed Sadiq Akbar, police and security officials, and representatives of various local communities.

Read more: Police officer martyred, four injured in attack on anti-polio team in KP

Following the attacks, district authorities and police increased security in Salarzai and the entire Bajaur district. Search operations continue in the affected areas to arrest the perpetrators.

KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the attacks, terming the incidents as cowardly acts and directed the inspector general of police to submit a detailed report.

“Attacking officials carrying out a national duty is an extremely cowardly act. Terrorists will never succeed in their nefarious intentions,” Afridi said.

He assured the families of the deceased that the provincial government will accompany them in their grief and provide them with all possible support.

Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the attacks, stating that they were carried out by forces hostile to the country and humanity, supported by India.

“The terrorist attack that claimed the lives of two police officers is deeply tragic,” he said.

He also praised the bravery of the police personnel and added, “The people of KP are proud of their martyrs and heroes in the police force.”

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information and Public Relations, Shafi Khan, described the attacks as “extremely cowardly acts” and condemned the incidents.

He paid tribute to the bravery of the fallen officers and said: “The sacrifices of the brave police personnel of KP will always be remembered.”

The minister also assured the provincial government’s full support to the families of the deceased.

The incident occurred as the government launched a week-long polio vaccination drive in 79 high-risk districts across the country, targeting more than 19 million children to receive polio vaccines.

Last month, a police officer was killed and four others injured when gunmen opened fire on personnel deployed to protect polio vaccination teams in Hangu in KP. In February, a police officer was also martyred when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a polio vaccination team in Roghani area of ​​Chaman.

Anti-polio workers, who carry out door-to-door immunization drives, have frequently been attacked by militants, particularly in KP and Balochistan. In 2024 alone, at least 20 people were killed and 53 injured during anti-polio operations in the province.