Police Officer martyred Protecting Polio Team in Nushki Attack

Nushki — A police officer assigned to protect a polio vaccination team was martyred on Monday when unidentified assailants opened fire in the Killi Muhammad Hassani area of Nushki, Balochistan.

The slain officer, identified as Abdul Waheed, a resident of Jamalabad, Nushki, was providing security to health workers involved in a nationwide anti-polio campaign when the attack occurred. His body was shifted to a nearby hospital following the shooting.

The deadly assault has drawn widespread condemnation from both provincial and federal leaders, who labeled the attack as an attack on the nation’s children and public health.

“Polio campaigns are a national duty, and any assault on them is intolerable,” said Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan government. Paying tribute to the officer, he added, “We salute the sacrifice of Shaheed Abdul Waheed, who gave his life for the protection of Pakistan’s children.”

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed deep grief over the officer’s martyrdom and extended condolences to the bereaved family. “He attained the highest honor of martyrdom,” Naqvi said. “An attack on those safeguarding our children’s future is beyond comprehension and cannot be tolerated. The perpetrators will be dealt with with an iron hand.”

Vaccination Drive Presses On

Despite the tragic incident, the seven-day anti-polio drive continued across Balochistan for the second consecutive day. According to the Emergency Operations Center, more than 2.66 million children under the age of five are being targeted for polio immunization in the province. In addition to polio drops, Vitamin A supplements are being provided to boost children’s immunity.

Over 11,000 health teams are involved in the campaign across Balochistan, reaching door to door in a determined effort to protect children from the crippling disease.

First Lady Appeals for Public Support

First Lady and MNA Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, a vocal advocate for polio eradication, issued a heartfelt appeal to the public via social media platform X, calling for full participation in the national campaign.

She noted that the current vaccination drive, running from May 26 to June 1, aims to immunize over 44 million children across the country, with more than 400,000 frontline workers engaged in the effort.

“This is a national cause. Join hands for a polio-free Pakistan,” she urged, emphasizing the need to protect future generations from preventable disabilities.

Read more: Pakistan Launches Third Nationwide Polio Vaccination Drive of 2025

As Pakistan continues its struggle to eradicate polio, incidents of violence against health workers and their protectors highlight the ongoing challenges faced by public health campaigns in high-risk areas. Nonetheless, the commitment of frontline workers and security forces remains unwavering.