PESHAWAR, Dec 21: A polio worker was today gunned down by unidentified militants while carrying out a vaccination campaign in Pakistan’s restive northwest.
The polio worker, identified as Galiab, was attacked at a Government-run dispensary in Jamrud Tehsil area of Khyber Agency. He succumbed to his injuries in a local hospital where he was admitted with severe injuries.
Jehangir Azam Wazir, a local administration official, confirmed the incident, Dawn News reported.
The report said some gunmen left a pamphlet next to the polio worker, after opening fire on him, with a warning that all those who were part of any polio vaccination campaign or found working for any non-Governmental organisation would be targeted in a similar manner.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but polio workers have often been targeted by the Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups.
On December 13, gunmen attacked two separate polio teams in northwestern Pakistan, killing one polio worker and two police guards.
On November 23, militants had also kidnapped teachers for supporting polio drive but they were later released following a jirga intervention.
Pakistan is one of only three countries in the world where polio remains endemic, and efforts to stamp it out have been hit by opposition from Islamist militants and repeated attacks on vaccination teams.
Militant groups have termed the polio campaign as an attempt to “sterilise Muslims” besides being used for spying.
According to the World Health Organisation, Pakistan recorded 72 cases of polio this year compared to 58 in 2012. (AGENCIES)
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