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PESHAWAR: Unknown gunmen on Saturday opened fire at a vehicle carrying a team of polio workers in Landi Kotal's Lowi Shalman area of Khyber Agency, killing the driver and leaving one polio volunteer injured.
According to security officials, the polio workers were being driven to a session in the morning when they came under attack. Subsequently, the driver of the vehicle Ziarat Gul was killed and a polio worker was injured.
Security forces cordoned off the area after the incident.
Pakistan is one of only three countries in the world where polio remains endemic, along with Afghanistan and Nigeria. Efforts to eradicate it have been seriously hampered by the deadly targeting of vaccination teams in recent years.
Polio cases in Pakistan reached a low of 28 in 2005 but rose to 198 in 2011. In 2012, Pakistan had 58 cases, while 93 were recorded in 2013, as reported by End Polio Pakistan.
In 2014, Pakistan reported as many as 305 polio cases, breaking its own 16-year-old record.
The WHO says the virus strain of polio found in Pakistan has affected as many as five countries over the past two years, becoming a serious threat to other countries.
Last year, the WHO imposed strict travel restrictions on Pakistan to prevent the possible spread of the polio virus to other countries.
Militant groups often attack polio teams as they see vaccination campaigns as a cover for espionage. There are also long running rumours about polio drops causing infertility.
Eight militants killed in Lower Kurram
Eight militants were killed in a clash between security forces and militants in Lower Kurram Agency.
Official sources said militants clashed in the Enjar Pataye area of Lower Kurram Agency. Security forces repulsed the attack and during the clash eight militants were killed while a soldier sustained injuries.
Security forces cordoned off the area and a search operation went underway.
Security forces to launch crackdown against militants in Bara
Separately, security forces have started preparations to launch a crackdown against militants in Akakhel and Qalanaga areas of Bara.
The administration has ordered locals to vacate the area by 6 pm today.
Action will be taken against those violating the orders.
Comments (14) Closed
What is going on?
Where is the KPK PTI government? Imran is so concerned about other provinces, how about PTI's pathetic governance in KPK. Where is Naya KPK?
wow--testing missiles, manufacturing Aircrafts, nukes, fashion shows and refusing polio vaccination 21st century. Is there any other country in the world with such extremes? lopsided development if at all.
This is an act of brutality and this is an act of cruelty. We should spread awareness against these acts of violence. We should widen the lessons of peace.
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Seems like you just couldn't wait to blame this one on IK.
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan The incident happened in Khyber agency.
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan it is khyber agency not kpk. Khabar tau parr lea karo
It does happen in Pakistan..I don't know why..
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan .U forgot to read that this is in Khyber agency.Part of Fata under the federal govt.
These poor people are the real heroes who are serving the nation, KPK Govt should take care of these people. KPK Govt & Imran Khan should now come out of Apologetic mindset
The ignorance and negligence of grandparents caused many to be physically handicapped in the 80's from polio virus in India.Young generation of Pakistan is involved in anti polio activities showing the height of illiteracy and ignorance among Pak youth.Pakistan should impart science based education to their students followed in countries of different faith like Muslim,Christian,Hindu,Jews etc.Technology and faith should go hand in hand to solve these type of problems.
Strict action should be taken against these terrorist.
The Indians here have no right to comment here because your pathetic government supports the killing thiinnocent people in Pakistan to defame Pakistan in world. The talibans get salaries from India.
Bring General Pervez Musharraf back please.
Bring General Pervez Musharraf back please
@sarjeesh... Please don't mix facts with the Indian propaganda... the anti polio scheme is being run by ttp ... and we all know where they get their salaries from. It is not a representation of the youth of Pakistan.