PESHAWAR: A horrific attack on a polio vaccination team in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has resulted in the tragic deaths of two individuals, including a police officer. The attack occurred on December 16, 2025, in the Tangi area of Salarzai tehsil, while the vaccination team was working door-to-door, administering polio drops as part of the ongoing national immunization drive.
According to police officials, the attackers, whose identities remain unknown, opened fire on the team while it was in the middle of its routine work. The shooting killed a police officer, who had been assigned to protect the vaccination team, and a passerby who was nearby at the time. The assailants fled the scene immediately after the attack, prompting local law enforcement to launch a search operation in the surrounding area.
The attack has sparked outrage, drawing a strong response from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of lives. In his statement, the Prime Minister offered prayers for the deceased victims and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to their families. He also called for swift action to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Security concerns in polio campaigns
Polio vaccination teams in Pakistan have long faced security threats in various regions, especially in areas where militant groups and extremist elements are active. This attack is a tragic reminder of the challenges faced by health workers who are tirelessly working to eradicate polio, one of the world’s most debilitating diseases, from the country.
Pakistan remains one of the last countries in the world where wild poliovirus continues to circulate, alongside Afghanistan. The country has made significant strides in reducing polio cases, but ongoing security concerns make the task of complete eradication increasingly difficult.
The final polio campaign of 2025
The attack occurred during Pakistan’s final nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2025, which aims to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five. This campaign is a key component of Pakistan’s National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) efforts to eliminate polio and prevent further spread of the virus, particularly in high-risk regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The final 2025 campaign is the fifth and last of the year, and despite the growing challenges, it remains a critical opportunity to vaccinate children in areas where polio remains a significant threat. With over 80,000 frontline workers mobilized across the country and more than 21,000 security personnel deployed to ensure the safety of vaccination teams, the Pakistani government remains committed to ensuring that no child is left behind in the fight against polio.
Prime Minister’s call to action
Following the attack, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating polio, calling the assault on health workers a “deeply regrettable” incident. He assured the nation that the fight against polio would continue with full determination and that no efforts would be spared to protect those working in public health.
The Prime Minister also called on law enforcement agencies to ensure the swift identification and prosecution of those responsible for the attack, emphasizing that the safety of health workers remains a top priority.
Polio’s persistent threat in Pakistan
Polio continues to be a major threat in Pakistan, with 30 confirmed cases in 2025, although this represents a decrease from 74 cases in 2024. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region has been particularly hard-hit, reflecting the challenges of vaccinating children in areas with high insecurity. As long as poliovirus transmission continues, the country remains vulnerable to further outbreaks.
Vaccination teams, supported by security forces, continue to work tirelessly, even under threats of violence and extremist attacks, to protect children from a disease that causes irreversible paralysis. Polio eradication is still one of the most urgent public health priorities in Pakistan, and every vaccination campaign represents a critical step forward.
Looking forward
The ongoing polio vaccination campaigns will continue until the disease is fully eradicated from the country. However, the attacks on health workers underscore the need for a comprehensive approach that not only includes vaccination but also addresses the security concerns that hamper progress. The international community must support Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts to ensure that future generations are free from this debilitating disease.
