PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s fight against polio came under renewed pressure on Tuesday after four vaccination workers were abducted by armed men in Tank district and two police officers protecting a polio team were killed in a separate attack in Mohmand, highlighting the growing security challenges facing the country’s immunisation campaign.
The incidents came as Pakistan launched a nationwide vaccination drive targeting nearly 24 million children under five across 97 districts from November 2 to 8.
Militant violence, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has repeatedly threatened efforts to protect children from polio. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has long been associated with attacks on security personnel and opposition to vaccination campaigns. However, officials have not identified those behind the latest abduction in Tank or attributed either incident to the group.
Four Polio Workers Abducted in Tank
In Tank district, four polio workers were abducted by unidentified armed men, prompting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi to demand their immediate and safe recovery.
“The abduction of polio workers is an extremely regrettable and condemnable incident,” Kundi said in a statement.
He said protecting vaccination teams was the government’s responsibility and called for effective security arrangements to prevent further attacks on health workers.
The abduction has raised fresh concerns about the safety of frontline workers who go door to door to vaccinate children, often operating in areas affected by militancy and insecurity.
Two Policemen Martyred in Mohmand Attack
In a separate incident in Mohmand district, gunmen opened fire on police personnel deployed to protect a polio vaccination team, killing two officers and wounding another.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack, describing the targeting of police officers assigned to protect polio workers as intolerable.
He paid tribute to the slain personnel and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.
Pakistan Reports Eighth Polio Case of 2026
The attacks came two days after Pakistan confirmed its eighth polio case of the year, involving a 13-month-old girl in Khyber district, according to the National Emergency Operations Center for Polio Eradication.
Six of the eight cases reported in 2026 have been recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the remaining two were detected in Sindh.
Pakistan reported 31 polio cases in 2025, compared with 74 in 2024, indicating a decline in infections. However, continued transmission in high-risk areas remains a serious threat to children who miss vaccination.
The latest campaign began on November 2, with more than 200,000 health workers taking part in door-to-door vaccination activities.
The National Emergency Operations Center said more than 6.68 million children received polio drops on the first day. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone accounted for over 1.37 million vaccinations.
Also Read: Khawarij Target Polio Team: Two Policemen Martyred in Mohmand
Polio is a highly infectious disease that can cause permanent paralysis, particularly in children under five. There is no cure, but vaccination can prevent the disease.
Health authorities have urged parents to ensure their children receive polio drops during every campaign, warning that gaps in vaccination leave children vulnerable to infection.
