DERA MURAD JAMALI: A police constable was martyred on Wednesday after unknown armed men opened fire on a polio team in Dera Murad Jamali town of Balochistan’s Nasirabad district, police said.

According to police officials, the polio team was on its way home on a lunch break when armed men on motorcycles opened fire on the police personnel accompanying them. As a result, Constable Farhan Bashir was martyred.

“A constable was martyred after armed men opened fire on police personnel. However, the other members of the team remained unhurt in the firing,” Nasirabad Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Asad Nasar told Dawn.

The assailants fired ten 9mm bullets at the constable, resulting in his death on the spot, the SSP said, adding that the assailants fled from the scene.

So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, Nasar said, adding that a search operation had been launched to find out the miscreants involved in the incident.

Nasirabad Deputy Commissioner Zulfiqar Ali Karrar said the anti-polio campaign would continue in the district despite the incident.

The second nationwide polio vaccination campaign of the year was launched on Monday, aiming to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five.

The same day, a police constable was martyred and four others were injured in an attack on a law enforcement party en route to provide security for polio teams in Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Attacks on polio teams condemned

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) expressed deep concern at incidents targeting polio teams in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

In a statement, Ayesha Raza Farooq, the prime minister’s focal person on polio eradication, said that she was deeply saddened by the martyrdom of the police official in Nasirabad.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and stand in solidarity with our law enforcement personnel and frontline workers who continue to serve despite these risks. Their courage reflects the best of our national spirit, and we will not allow such acts of violence to undermine this vital mission. The safety of our teams remains non-negotiable,” she said.

“The programme stands in unwavering solidarity with all affected teams and security personnel. Despite these challenges, Pakistan’s commitment to polio eradication remains resolute. These acts will not deter our collective mission,” she added.

Additional input by Ikram Junaidi