Deadly Attack on Polio Vaccination Team in Pakistan

Gunmen opened fire on a polio vaccination team in northwestern Pakistan, killing a health worker and a policeman. The Pakistani Taliban claimed the attack, which followed the launch of Pakistan's national polio vaccination campaign aimed at immunizing 30 million children. The incident has sparked calls for police strikes and security boycotts.

Gunmen opened fire on a polio vaccination team in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of a health worker and a police officer, according to local police. The Pakistani Taliban later claimed responsibility for the attack.

Two days earlier, Pakistan had launched its latest national campaign to eradicate polio, aiming to vaccinate up to 30 million children. The attack took place in a subdivision of Bajaur tribal district near the Afghanistan border, where the virus still poses a significant health threat.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) stated that their fighters targeted the police escort accompanying the polio team. The incident has prompted a local police union group to call for a strike and boycott of security duties in response to the killing.

(With inputs from agencies.)