Policeman martyred in attack while returning from polio duty in Bajaur

PESHAWAR: A police constable deployed to protect a polio vaccination team was martyred after unidentified assailants opened fire on him in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district on Monday, police said.

According to Bajaur police spokesperson Israr Khan, the 35-year-old policeman was on his way home after completing duty with a polio team when attackers armed with rifles targeted him.

Salarzai Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jamal Shah told reporters that the slain constable was identified as Sayed Aziz. He said the policeman suffered multiple bullet injuries and died while being taken to hospital.

Police said a team from the Salarzai police station reached the scene shortly after the shooting and began efforts to trace the attackers, who had fled after the assault.

The DSP said an investigation had been launched to determine the identity of those involved in the attack.

Attack on first day of campaign

The incident occurred on the opening day of a four-day anti-polio campaign being carried out across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Bajaur.

Police did not state a motive for the shooting. However, personnel assigned to guard polio vaccination teams have repeatedly come under attack in the past.

Previous attacks on polio security teams

In December last year, two people, including a constable, were killed when assailants attacked a polio team in Bajaur.

The first attack on a polio team recorded this year took place in February in Chaman, Balochistan, where firing by armed terrorists led to the martyrdom of a police officer.

Last month, another police constable was martyred and four others were injured in an attack on a law enforcement party that was travelling to provide security to polio teams in Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Monday’s attack adds to a series of incidents in which police personnel assigned to protect vaccination drives have been targeted while performing security duties.

Officials said police were pursuing the attackers and investigating the circumstances surrounding the killing of the constable in Bajaur.