Polio Campaign Halted in Mastung After Deadly Attack, Second Polio Case of 2025 Confirmed in KP

Tragedy struck in Balochistan’s Mastung district when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a polio vaccination team in the Teri area, killing two Levies personnel assigned to protect the team. One officer was critically injured and later succumbed to his wounds, bringing the death toll to two.

The attack has prompted authorities to suspend the ongoing polio vaccination campaign in Mastung indefinitely. Assistant Deputy Commissioner Manan Tareen confirmed that the campaign has been postponed due to escalating security concerns.

In response, law enforcement agencies have launched a search operation to trace the attackers. This incident highlights the persistent threats faced by health workers and security officials engaged in anti-polio efforts in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, another case of polio has been confirmed—an 11-year-old boy from Torghar district tested positive for the virus, the provincial health department confirmed. The National Institute of Health’s Regional Reference Laboratory verified the case. This marks the second polio case of 2025, following one earlier this year in Dera Ismail Khan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack and expressed grief over the martyrdom of the Levies personnel. In a statement, he said:

“The attackers are enemies of humanity and will be brought to justice. Such attacks cannot shake the government’s resolve to eliminate polio from the country.”

He urged citizens to cooperate with the health authorities and ensure their children are vaccinated, stressing that the fight against polio will continue with full determination