Levies Officer Shot Dead While Guarding Polio Team In Swat

Picture of Dania Shafiq

Dania Shafiq

Levies Officer Shot Dead While Guarding Polio Team In Swat

A Levies personnel escorting an anti-polio team was shot dead in Swat on Sunday, reigniting concerns over the safety of health workers in Pakistan’s ongoing polio vaccination campaign. Unidentified gunmen ambushed the team in the mountainous area of Kabal Tehsil as they were returning from a door-to-door vaccination drive. The attackers opened fire, killing the Levies officer on the spot, while the polio workers narrowly escaped unhurt.

Security forces immediately cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the suspects. No group has claimed responsibility so far, but authorities suspect militants opposed to vaccination efforts could be behind the assault. The anti-polio campaign remains one of Pakistan’s toughest health challenges, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where sporadic attacks continue to threaten eradication efforts. The tragic incident highlights how frontline workers risk their lives to ensure children are immunized against the crippling virus.

A few days earlier, Pakistan had expanded its polio vaccination drive to include children up to 15 years of age, marking a major step toward eradicating the disease nationwide. This expansion aims to address lingering immunity gaps among older children, particularly in high-risk districts, and ensure broader protection for the population.

The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society and government officials, who called it an attempt to derail Pakistan’s progress against polio. The health department confirmed that operations will continue under tight security and that vaccination teams will receive additional protection. Authorities also assured the public that the anti-polio campaign will persist despite the attack, emphasizing that the mission to immunize children cannot be stopped by violence.

The polio vaccination campaign in Pakistan has faced repeated hurdles due to misinformation, cultural resistance, and security threats. Yet, despite these challenges, thousands of health workers continue their mission, working tirelessly to protect Pakistan’s children from this preventable disease. The recent attack serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by frontline workers but also highlights their dedication and the importance of sustaining nationwide vaccination efforts.

Related News

Trending

Recent News

Type to Search