SWABI, Jan 29: Gunmen attacked an anti-polio vaccination team here on Tuesday, killing a policeman who was escorting two women vaccinators who escaped unhurt.
Officials said the workers were administering anti-polio vaccine to children in Gil Wand area of Kala village when men on a motorcycle opened fire, killing constable Munsif Khan on the spot. The women workers ran for safety and were not hurt.
Deputy Commissioner Syed Mohammad Shah said the policeman had been shot from a close range.
The district administration held a meeting at the DC office soon after the attack.
Dr Mohammad Riaz, in-charge of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), said the anti-polio campaign had been postponed in Swabi for a day to assess the security situation. “We are planning to resume the campaign on Thursday,” he added.
Meanwhile, women health workers in the area said it would not be possible for them to continue the campaign. “We have shown courage but face threat to our lives.”
On January 1, six women volunteers and their male companion belonging to a charity organisation were killed when a van taking them home was ambushed by militants. The driver of the van was injured. Five of the women were teachers, the sixth a health worker and the male victim a health technician.
POLICE POST ATTACKED: Meanwhile, two hand-grenades were hurled at a police post in Bamkhel area of Swabi on Tuesday night. The assailants escaped. A car parked at the post was damaged.
