Policeman martyred, four injured in attack on polio security team in Hangu

A police official was martyred and four others were injured when miscreants opened fire on a team providing security for polio vaccination workers in Hangu, a police spokesperson confirmed on Monday, Aaj News reported.

The incident occurred near Chappri Waziran within the jurisdiction of the Tal Police Station. According to the spokesperson, the martyred official, identified as Israr-ul-Haq, was a resident of Shangla and was currently enrolled in an intermediate course at the Police Training Centre (PTC).

The injured personnel were immediately shifted to a nearby medical facility for treatment. Following the attack, a heavy contingent of police reached the spot and initiated a search operation for the attackers.

DIG Kohat Irfan Tariq said police force retaliated right away and fought the terrorists very hard which has reportedly resulted in death of two terrorists. However, the fleeing terrorists took their accomplices with them, he added.

He also said that the anti-polio campaign would continue as usual in the area as the terrorists cannot dampen the spirit of the nation.

Pakistan launches second anti-polio drive of 2026

The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme on Monday launched its second nationwide immunisation campaign of the year, targeting over 45 million children under the age of five in a decisive move to eliminate the virus from the country.

During the week-long drive running from April 13 to 19, more than 400,000 frontline health workers will go door-to-door across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Islamabad. To further bolster the immunity and overall health of children, Vitamin A supplements will also be administered during the campaign.

The drive is being held in close coordination with Afghanistan to ensure a synchronised effort in curbing cross-border transmission. Pakistan has reported significant progress in 2026, with the virus presence limited to 23 out of 87 districts, compared to 82 districts in 2025. Similarly, positive environmental samples have plummeted from 651 in 2025 to just 40 so far this year.

Despite the progress, challenges persist. Following 31 cases in 2025, one case has already been confirmed in 2026 from Sindh’s Sujawal district.

Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq said Pakistan is closer to eradicating polio than ever before, but this final stage is the most critical. “Polio causes lifelong disability and has no cure, yet it is entirely preventable. This campaign is vital to closing the remaining gaps and ensuring every child under five receives the two life-saving drops,“ she said

The government of Pakistan has appealed to all parents and guardians to fully cooperate with vaccination teams and ensure their children are immunised during every drive to safeguard their future.