Three Levies personnel were injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast targeting a polio team in Bajaur Agency's Khar district on Tuesday, officials said.

Officials in the political administration said the team was targeted while administering polio drops to children in the area.

The wounded were shifted to District Headquarters Hospital for treatment, the officials added.

Fieldworkers and security forces involved in anti-polio drives in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have often been targeted by militants.

Pakistan, along with Afghanistan, is one of two polio-endemic countries remaining in the world. Militants first began targeting polio vaccination teams in Swat in 2007 and then in North and South Waziristan agencies in 2012. The attacks have left children deprived of immunisation, leaving at least 160 crippled by the disease.

Opinion

Editorial

Missing links
Updated 27 Apr, 2024

Missing links

As the past decades have shown, the country has not been made more secure by ‘disappearing’ people suspected of wrongdoing.
Freedom to report?
27 Apr, 2024

Freedom to report?

AN accountability court has barred former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife from criticising the establishment...
After Bismah
27 Apr, 2024

After Bismah

BISMAH Maroof’s contribution to Pakistan cricket extends beyond the field. The 32-year old, Pakistan’s...
Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...