At least two volunteers of a polio vaccination team were shot dead by unknown militants in a Swabi village on Sunday.
The killed persons included a teacher from the education department and an employee of the health department, performing duties at Basic Health Unit Jhandha, Swabi.
District Police Officer (DPO) Mian Mohammad Saeed told Pakistan Today that both Sheeraz Mohammad and Aziz Mohammad were killed on the spot when two armed militants opened indiscriminate fire towards them. He, however, said both volunteers had not informed local police that they were engaged in vaccinating children without security.
Saeed said keeping in view threats of terrorism, the government had already directed police to provide security to vaccinators.
In this respect, high-ups from health department and vaccinators are bound to inform the concerned police station, he added.
Soon after the killings, Swabi police embarked on search operations in the area and apprehended four suspects. The DPO confirmed the arrests, saying “detainees are being interrogated so far.” On the other had, law enforcing agencies were asked to remain on high alert all over Swabi to counter further acts of terrorism and violence, the DPO added.
Terming the attack cowardly and inhumane, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the killing of the two volunteers.
He paid tribute to the volunteers who lost their lives playing their roles for eradicating the menace of polio from the country. He prayed to the Almighty to bless the departed souls and grant courage to the bereaved families to bear the loss with fortitude.
Meanwhile, a police official was killed and four others injured in separate militant attacks in different localities of Peshawar in the wee hours of Sunday.
According to details, armed miscreants stormed Mashu Gagar police post in Badaber area of the city, leaving three police officials injured.
The attackers fled from the scene when police returned fire. Heavy contingents of police reached the scene and launched a search operation in the area after the incident.
Earlier, some unidentified miscreants opened fire on two police officials when they were on patrol in Gulbahar area. A police constable identified as Karamatullah died on the spot while Shahidullah was critically injured. Both were shifted to a hospital.
Following the Quetta terror incidents on Saturday, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government directed law enforcement agencies to remain on high alert.
Police said all sensitive places in the city are being heavily guarded. Surveillance in FATA and bordering areas of Peshawar was also beefed up.
The strength of the security force was increased at entry and exit checkpoints of the city, while search operations were underway following the Badaber attack.
2 polio vaccinators gunned down in Swabi
