Abducted polio workers recovered in Bannu after police-jirga operation

BANNU: Three polio workers abducted by militants on Wednesday were safely recovered through coordinated efforts of police and local jirga elders, officials said.

Police said immediate action was taken under the supervision of the Bannu District Police Officer (DPO) after the incident was reported. A joint strategy was then developed in consultation with local jirga representatives to secure the safe release of the abducted workers.

Officials stated that engagement with tribal elders played a key role in the recovery process, with negotiations and mediation efforts continuing alongside police operations.

Bannu DPO Yasir Afridi confirmed the development, saying, “with a lot of efforts, they have been recovered.”

The three polio workers were abducted by unidentified militants in the Jhandu Khel area during an ongoing anti-polio campaign, triggering concern in the region.

The incident came shortly after an attack earlier in the week in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district, where a police constable was martyred and four others injured while providing security to polio teams. It marked the first attack on law enforcement personnel deployed for the current nationwide vaccination drive taking place from April 13 to 19.

Polio vaccinators, who go door-to-door to administer vaccines, continue to face security threats, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Officials noted that while security arrangements had improved in recent years, incidents of violence still persist. Last year, several attacks were reported during vaccination campaigns, resulting in casualties among police personnel and health workers, as well as multiple abductions.