SWABI: A female polio vaccinator was attacked and seriously injured during the ongoing anti-polio campaign in the Yar Hussain village of Razaar tehsil here on Tuesday, police said.

A constable was escorting two lady health workers, Samia Begum and Ms Rani Bibi, who work in Yar Hussain civil hospital.

Sources said Ms Rani entered the house of Mohammad Ijaz Khan to administer vaccine to children there, while Ms Samia stopped at the gate to write details on the entrance, a practice adopted by health department to ensure that the anti-polio team visited the house.

As Ms Rani stepped in, she was attacked with a dagger and was injured. After hearing her cries, the constable forced his way into the house and overpowered the assailant.

The injured woman was admitted to Yar Hussain hospital. Health officials said she was hit in the head, but her condition was out of danger.

An FIR was registered against the accused under section 186, 354 and 506.

District health officer Dr Mohammad Niaz said the anti-polio campaign would continue as scheduled.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2018