RAWALPINDI: An anti-polio team was allegedly prevented from performing official duties and threatened by a resident during a vaccination campaign in the Naseerabad area on Tuesday.

According to police, the incident occurred near Hussain Abad Graveyard during the ongoing anti-polio campaign when the accused allegedly misbehaved with a female polio worker, used abusive language, followed the vaccination team in the street and threatened them with serious consequences.

The incident created panic and fear among members of the polio team.

Police registered a case on the complaint of the district health authority against the accused, who had not been arrested till filing of the report.

A four-day anti-polio campaign began in Rawalpindi on Monday, with police deploying around 900 personnel to ensure security of vaccination teams.

Anti-polio workers have been conducting door-to-door visits to administer vaccine drops to children.

Police said a comprehensive security plan had been devised under which 899 police officials were assigned to provide security to the vaccination teams during the campaign running from May 18 to May 21.

Suspect arrested after police encounter

Meanwhile, one suspect injured during an alleged encounter with police was arrested while his accomplice managed to escape in the New Town police area on Tuesday.

A police spokesman said two suspects opened fire on a police party in the New Town police station area late Monday night.

During the exchange of fire, one suspect sustained injuries while the other escaped from the scene.

Police recovered a stolen motorcycle and a fake number plate from the suspects.

According to police, the arrested suspect was wanted in motorcycle theft and other criminal cases in the twin cities and Gujrat.

Investigators said the suspects were changing the number plates of a motorcycle allegedly stolen from the New Town area about a month ago.

Senior police officers reached the scene after receiving information about the incident, while the injured suspect was shifted to hospital.

Police said a search operation was underway to arrest the absconding suspect.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2026