A tragic incident unfolded in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday, resulting in the loss of five police officials' lives and injuries to 22 others. Reports from local media, citing officials, indicate that the blast targeted a police vehicle in Bajaur district. The affected policemen were en route to provide security for polio vaccination teams during the attack.
According to Bajaur police spokesperson Israr Ahmed, all five policemen have been confirmed dead. Dr Wazir Khan Safi, the medical superintendent at Khar District Headquarters Hospital, mentioned that among the 22 injured, 12 were receiving treatment at the hospital, while 10 individuals with more severe injuries were referred to a hospital in Peshawar.
Malakand Division Commissioner Saqib Raza reported that the scheduled polio campaign in the region was suspended in the aftermath of the blast. Caretaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Justice (retd) Arshad Hussain Shah condemned the incident in a statement and expressed wishes for the swift recovery of the injured. He emphasized that such cowardly acts would not dampen the morale of the police force. The tragic incident underscores the challenges faced by those involved in critical public health initiatives, such as polio vaccination campaigns.
