Cop martyred, polio worker injured in Karak attack

Polio worker named Asadullah, resident of Gurguri, sustains injuries in attack

By Our Correspondent
December 17, 2024
Policemen stand guard as a health worker administers polio drops to a child during a vaccination campaign against the crippling disease. — AFP/File
Policemen stand guard as a health worker administers polio drops to a child during a vaccination campaign against the crippling disease. — AFP/File

KARAK: A police constable was martyred and a polio vaccinator sustained injuries when suspected militants opened fire on them at Mammikhel area in Banda Daud Shah Tehsil here on Monday.

Police sources said that a polio team came under attack from unidentified attackers at Mammikhel area when they were busy administering oral polio vaccine to children. A constable identified as Irfan Khan, a resident of Gurguri area in Karak, was martyred in the attack.

The polio worker named Asadullah, son of one Habibullah, a resident of Gurguri, sustained injuries in the attack. The injured were rushed to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Banda Daud Shah.

District Police Officer, Karak, Khankhel visited the spot along with a heavy contingent of police. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the polio workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s district Karak, resulting in the martyrdom of a policeman.

The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to provide immediate medical assistance to those injured in the incident. In separate press statements, the president and the prime minister expressed deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of the policeman.

President Asif Zardari said that the terrorists, who did not want to see the people healthy and prosperous, were the enemies of the future of the country and the nation. He urged the people to fully participate in the government’s anti-polio campaign and ensure administering polio drops to their children.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised that the sacrifices of the security forces in government’s efforts to eradicate polio disease in the country will never go in vain. Expressing concerns over the attack on the polio workers, the prime minister said such actions will not deter the government’s commitments. “The government will utilise all possible resources to ensure the safety of the polio workers till complete eradication of the disease in the country,” he added.