Gunmen Target Polio Vaccinators in Balochistan, Cop Hurt

Security forces in Pakistan are once again on high alert after gunmen attacked a polio vaccination team in Balochistan's Chaman district. The assault left a police officer guarding the team critically wounded, while the vaccinators themselves escaped injury. The shooting took place in the remote Ishaqzai Kila area, prompting an immediate security lockdown and intensified patrols. This attack is the latest in a troubling pattern of violence against polio eradication workers and their escorts. Pakistan's health authorities have been striving to eliminate the wild poliovirus, but militants continue to disrupt campaigns through targeted shootings and intimidation. The government has condemned the assault and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Earlier incidents include the killing of two officers in Bajaur district last month and a deadly ambush in Hangu that claimed one life and left four wounded. These repeated strikes have forced officials to rethink security protocols for every vaccination round. Extra checkpoints, rapid-response units, and closer coordination with tribal elders are now being implemented to shield teams on the ground. Health experts warn that any disruption to immunization schedules risks allowing the virus to spread further. With both Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan still reporting cases, the stakes remain high. Officials are urging communities to support vaccination efforts and reject violence that endangers children and frontline workers alike.