QUETTA: Two cops guarding a polio vaccination workforce have been killed when unidentified armed males opened hearth at them in Quetta’s suburban space of Kili Nawa on the first day of the immunisation drive in Balochistan, police stated on Tuesday.
A seven-day-long anti-polio virus drive was launched at present in Balochistan, with the goal of immunising over 2.5 million youngsters in opposition to the illness.
Extremist outfits have repeatedly focused polio groups administering the essential drops to youngsters, with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) additionally being concerned within the assaults.
Police stated that the volunteers — two ladies — within the polio vaccination groups remained protected however each the cops deployed at their safety died on the spot.
Taking discover of the unlucky incident, Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo condemned the assault and expressed grief over the martyrdom of the policemen.
The chief minister termed the incident a conspiracy in opposition to the wholesome way forward for the youngsters.
“Anti-national parts wish to fail the polio marketing campaign to satisfy their evil ambitions,” he stated whereas looking for a report on the matter.
He directed the authorities involved to utilise all of the obtainable sources to catch the culprits concerned within the assault.
The polio virus, which invades the nervous system and may trigger irreversible paralysis inside hours, spreads quickly amongst youngsters, particularly in unsanitary situations and areas the place well being care is proscribed.
The illness can solely be prevented with vaccination, however efforts to eradicate it in Pakistan have been undermined by opposition from some conservative locals and extremists, who declare immunisation is a overseas ploy to sterilise Muslim youngsters or a canopy for Western spies.
It could be famous that Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan are the one two nations on this planet which have nonetheless not achieved full eradication of the illness.
In one other bid for polio eradication, the federal government launched the anti-polio virus vaccination drive in Balochistan at present, concentrating on over 2.5 million youngsters to be immunised in opposition to the illness.
Over 11,500 groups are a part of the vaccination drive which is able to proceed for every week, whereas provision of safety has additionally been ensured.
The federal government appeals the spiritual students, dad and mom, lecturers, and non-governmental organisations to play their function in making this drive a hit.
Updated at 2023-09-13 15:11:10