ISLAMABAD: Police, Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel are guarding polio vaccination teams during the drive that began in the capital on Tuesday.

Armed personnel are providing security cover to teams that include medical staff and volunteers, officials from the capital administration said.

Capital administration officials said Islamabad has been divided into more than a hundred sub-sectors where children will be vaccination.

Around 120 teams of medical staff and volunteers will vaccinate children using polio drops, while they are guarded by police, Rangers and FC personnel.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammad Aamir Zulfiqar directed that police and security personnel should be equipped with all the required arms and ammunition for the security of polio vaccination teams during the vaccination drive in the capital, police said.

A security plan was devised for the teams’ visits to rural and urban parts of the capital, the police said.

Around 400 police officials will be accompanying the teams.

All four zonal superintendents of police will also supervise security duties in their respective areas, they said.

Sub-divisional police officers and station house officers will maintain coordination with doctors and polio vaccination team staff.

Counter Terrorism Force vehicles will patrol the areas under the plan, while Eagle and Falcon squad staff will be alert to counter any untoward situation, they said.

An inspector-level officer will be the focal person to sit in the control room at the deputy commissioner’s office and receive firsthand information on the situation.

Senior Superintendent of Police Waqaruddin Syed has directed all police officials to brief staff deputed for the security of polio vaccination teams and ensure vigilance and alertness.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2018