Five polio cops martyred in Bajaur bomb blast

Five police personnel martyred while 20 others were injured when their vehicle was bombed in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday morning, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The police party was on its way to escort security to vaccinators taking part in an anti-polio campaign in Bailut Farsh area of Sel Mamond in Bajaur district when their truck in which they were travelling was exploded with a bang.

Doctors at a local hospital have informed journalists that so far two dead bodies have been brought to the facility.

Police investigators rushed to the explosion site and collected evidence. They said the police vehicle was targeted with a remote-controlled bomb.

"A police truck transporting around 25 policemen for anti-polio campaign duties was targeted by an IED (improvised explosive device)," Anwarul Haq, a senior government official in Bajaur district, told AFP.

He said at least five police officers were martyed and at least 20 others were wounded.

Kashif Zulfiqar, a senior police officer in the district, confirmed the death toll.

The KP government had inaugurated the first “National Immunisation Days” of the current year at the provincial level on Friday last, with commitment to eradicate polio from the region.

KP officials said despite challenges the government will continue its course with re-invigorated spirit for delivering its promise to ensure a healthier and safer future for the children of the country.

They said despite weather challenges anti-polio teams were committed to reaching every household with eligible children to ensure their vaccination in every campaign.

My Bajaur 💔 https://t.co/zLOq1IApF9 pic.twitter.com/xqN04iZGQl

— Rehan Zeb Khan (@RehanZeb21) January 8, 2024

The campaign began today and was meant to vaccinate all children up to the age of five against polio.

It may be mentioned that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has seen a string of terrorist attacks in recent days.

Yesterday, four people including a woman and two security guards were killed when unknown armed men opened fire on their vehicles on Sada bypass in Kurram district.

Armed men targeted a car and a flying coach going from Parachinar to Peshawar. As a result of the firing, the driver of one vehicle, two security personnel and a woman were killed on the spot while three others were seriously injured and were shifted to the hospital.

Kurram District Police Officer said that as soon as the incident was reported, a heavy police contingent reached the scene. He said that the entire district has been cordoned off to arrest the attackers.

It bears mentioning here that in December 2023, eight people were killed including two security personnel and many were injured as a result of firing on a passenger bus in Chilas.

Zardari, Bilawal condemn blast

PPP Co-Chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari and party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari strongly condemned the Bajaur blast.

Both leaders said it was highly regrettable that volunteers working to eliminate polio were targeted by terrorists.

Punjab CM slams bomb blast

Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi also denounced the Bajaur bomb blast. He prayed for the early recovery of policemen injured in the explosion.

Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister Justice (retd) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah also condemned the Bajaur terrorist attack.

Reporter Amir Shahzad