Policeman martyred, four hurt in Hangu attack on polio security team

A police officer was martyred and four others injured in an attack on a security team assigned to protect polio workers in Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as Pakistan launched its second nationwide vaccination campaign of the year on Monday.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the incident took place near the Chapri Waziran area within the jurisdiction of Tal police station, where armed attackers opened fire on personnel accompanying polio teams.

The KP police spokesperson said the deceased officer was identified as Israrul Haq, who belonged to Shangla and was undergoing intermediate-level training at the police training centre.

The spokesperson said injured personnel were shifted to a local hospital, where they are receiving medical treatment.

Following the attack, police launched a search operation in the surrounding area to trace those responsible, while security has been heightened to ensure the safety of vaccination teams.

The incident comes as the country begins its second national anti-polio campaign of the year, which will continue until 19 April. During the campaign, more than 45 million children are expected to receive polio drops across the country.

According to the National Emergency Operations Centre, children will also be given vitamin A supplements as part of the drive to improve their immunity.

Provincial targets include more than 23 million children in Punjab, over 10.6 million in Sindh, more than 7.2 million in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and over 2.6 million in Balochistan.

In addition, more than 460,000 children in Islamabad, over 228,000 in Gilgit-Baltistan, and more than 760,000 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir will be vaccinated.

Health authorities have reiterated that polio remains an incurable disease that can cause lifelong disability, stressing the importance of continued immunisation efforts despite security challenges.

Police cop's rifle snatched at gunpoint

An armed man riding a motorcycle snatched a rifle from a policeman who was on polio duty in Tehsil Jamrud of Khyber District on Monday.

The gunman escaped from the scene after snatching the rifle.

Police have launched a hunt to trace the armed man.

Reporters: Hashmat Khan and Jahanzeb Afridi