In a devastating incident on Wednesday, two Levies Force personnel were killed in a targeted attack while protecting a polio vaccination team in Balochistan’s Mastung district. The assault occurred during a nationwide campaign to administer oral polio vaccines, a critical effort to eradicate the disease in Pakistan, where it remains endemic.
According to local authorities, unidentified assailants opened fire on the security team without warning, leaving no chance for retaliation. The fallen officers were rushed to a nearby hospital, but their injuries proved fatal. A large-scale search operation was immediately launched to apprehend the attackers, though no group has yet claimed responsibility for the violence.
Such attacks on polio workers and their escorts are not uncommon in Pakistan, particularly in regions like Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where militants have repeatedly targeted health campaigns. In 2024 alone, dozens of lives have been lost in similar incidents, underscoring the dangers faced by those working to protect public health.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a strong condemnation of the attack, mourning the loss of the brave personnel. “These cowardly acts against those safeguarding our children’s future are an assault on humanity itself,” he declared. Sharif vowed that the government would pursue justice relentlessly and ensure the perpetrators face the full force of the law.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to eliminating polio, the prime minister urged families to vaccinate their children, emphasizing that such tragedies would not deter the nation’s resolve. “Our campaign will continue with unwavering determination,” he stated, calling for unity in the fight against the disease.
The loss of these officers highlights the immense risks faced by frontline workers in Pakistan’s battle against polio. Despite these challenges, the government and health workers remain steadfast, driven by the goal of a polio-free future. The nation mourns the fallen heroes, and their sacrifice serves as a somber reminder of the high cost of progress in vulnerable regions.
As investigations continue, authorities are calling for increased vigilance to protect those who dedicate their lives to public health. The resolve to end polio remains unshaken, fueled by the courage of those who face danger to secure a healthier tomorrow.
