Two policeman were martyred in an attack on a polio team in Dabori Badan Qilla, a suburban area of Upper Orakzai, on Tuesday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
According to sources, after the attack on polio team, security forces cordoned off the area and started search operation.
Sources said that two terrorists and their facilitator were also killed during the search operation which was launched after the attack on the polio team.
"Two militants attacked policemen guarding a polio vaccination team. One policemen died at the scene while the other succumbed to his injuries on way to the hospital. A police team later chased down and killed two attackers and their local facilitator," said Malik Sikandar Khan, a senior police official in Orakzai.
Another police official, Naveed Ullah Khan, confirmed the details. "Two health workers were inside the home during the attack and remained safe," he told AFP.
Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan are the only countries where polio remains endemic and vaccination teams are frequently targeted by militants waging a campaign against security forces.
Mohsin Naqvi condemns terrorist attack on polio team
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a polio team in Orakzai. He paid tribute to the bravery of two police personnel who were martyred while fighting the terrorists.
Mohsin Naqvi commended the police personnel for neutralizing three terrorists, stating that the martyred personnel courageously foiled the terrorists’ nefarious plans.
The interior minister emphasized that the martyred police personnel are national heroes, who sacrificed their lives while safeguarding the polio team. He noted that the terrorist attack on the polio team is an assault on Pakistan’s future. He added the nation salutes the brave police personnel.
On Monday, health workers launched a week-long vaccine drive aiming to immunise more than 45 million children over the age of five.
Reported: Hashmat Aurakzai