KHAR: Two police personnel deployed on security duty for anti-polio teams were martyred in separate attacks on the very fir1st day of the vaccination campaign in various areas in Bajaur tribal district on Monday.
Following the tragic incidents, the local elders announced a boycott of the anti-polio drive due to the deteriorating security conditions. According to police sources, the first attack took place in the Dag Qilla Nazakai area of Salarzai tehsil where constable Said Aziz performing security duty of a polio vaccination team was targeted by unidentified gunmen.
As a result, he sustained multiple bullet injuries and embraced martyrdom on the spot.
Soon after the incident, the police launched investigations and a search operation in the area to apprehend the attackers.
Similarly, another attack occurred in Tabai village of Salarzai tehsil where constable Syed Qadir Shah, who was returning from polio duty, came under indiscriminate firing by unidentified attackers. He sustained critical injuries and later succumbed to his wounds.
The bodies of both martyred policemen were shifted to the Bajaur Police Lines in Khar where funeral prayers for the two slain cops were later offered with state honours.
The funeral was attended by officials of district administration, civil and military officials as well as people from various walks of life.
Later, a smartly turned-out contingent of Bajaur Police presented a salute to the martyrs before their bodies were sent to their native areas. Speaking on the occasion, Sher Bahadur, Syed Saddique Akbar and others demanded that the government immediately suspend the anti-polio campaign due to the fragile security situation, suggesting that the drive should resume only after conditions improved.
