Nushki, May 27, 2025: A police constable was killed and another injured when unidentified gunmen attacked a polio vaccination team in Balochistan’s Nushki district on Tuesday, forcing authorities to temporarily suspend immunization efforts in the area.
The attack targeted security personnel assigned to protect health workers during Pakistan’s third National Immunization Days (NIDs) campaign, a week-long drive aiming to vaccinate over 45 million children under five. The incident marks another setback in the country’s push to eradicate polio by the end of 2025.
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind condemned the assault as an attempt to sabotage a critical public health initiative.
“This attack is not just on individuals but on Pakistan’s future,” Rind said. “We will intensify counter-terrorism operations and ensure the perpetrators face justice.”
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also denounced the violence, with the premier vowing a firm response against those trying to disrupt polio eradication efforts.
Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the last two polio-endemic countries, where militants have long targeted vaccination teams. Over the past decade, hundreds of health workers and security personnel have been killed in such attacks.
In April, two Levies personnel were killed in Mastung while guarding a polio team. The same month, a policeman died in a shootout with attackers in South Waziristan.
Despite progress in recent years, Pakistan recorded 74 polio cases in 2024—a sharp rise from just six in 2023. Nine cases have already been reported this year, underscoring the urgency of vaccination campaigns.
Polio, a highly contagious virus that can cause lifelong paralysis, is preventable through oral vaccination. However, misinformation and militant opposition have hampered eradication efforts.
Authorities have not yet announced when vaccinations will resume in Nushki. With the national campaign in jeopardy, health officials fear further delays could lead to more infections.
As Pakistan struggles to balance security and public health, the attack serves as a grim reminder of the challenges facing polio eradication—and the bravery of those working on the front lines.
