Polio guard shot in Balochistan as Pakistan's anti-polio drive faces fresh attack
Synopsis
A police officer guarding a polio vaccination team was shot in Balochistan's Chaman district — the latest in a string of deadly attacks that have claimed multiple lives this month alone. With Pakistan remaining one of only two countries where wild poliovirus is still endemic, the relentless targeting of vaccination teams poses a direct threat to global eradication efforts.
Key Takeaways
A police official guarding a polio team was seriously injured in a firing attack near Ishaqzai Qila, Chaman district, Balochistan on Sunday, 25 May .
The polio team members were evacuated safely; a search operation for the attackers is ongoing.
On 18 May , at least two police escorts were killed in separate attacks in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa .
On 13 April , a police constable was killed and four others injured in Hangu district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa .
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where wild poliovirus remains endemic.
A police official deployed to protect a polio vaccination team was seriously injured after unidentified assailants opened fire on him near the Ishaqzai Qila area of Chaman district in Pakistan's Balochistan province on Sunday, 25 May. Members of the polio team were evacuated safely, according to local media reports.
What Happened
The attack occurred when gunmen fired on the police officer guarding the vaccination team, according to police officials. The injured personnel was transported to hospital for treatment. Following the incident, the polio team was moved to a secure location and additional police were deployed in the area.
A search operation has since been launched to identify and apprehend the attackers, though no arrests had been reported as of Monday.
Pattern of Targeted Violence
The Chaman attack is part of a sustained and intensifying pattern of violence against polio workers and their security escorts across Pakistan. On 18 May, at least two police personnel escorting polio vaccination teams were killed in separate incidents in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Unidentified assailants struck teams in the Tabbai and Dag Qila regions of Salarzai, according to a senior police official.
Earlier, on 13 April, a police constable was killed and four others were injured when assailants opened fire on a law enforcement party providing security cover for polio teams in Hangu district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, during a vaccination campaign in Thall tehsil. In February, another police officer was killed in a similar attack in Chaman district of Balochistan.
Why Pakistan's Polio Campaign Remains Vulnerable
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where wild poliovirus remains endemic. Polio workers and their security escorts have been repeatedly targeted, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan — provinces where militant activity is concentrated and where vaccination coverage has historically been hardest to achieve.
Critics and public health experts argue that persistent attacks on vaccination teams directly undermine eradication efforts, leaving pockets of unimmunised children and sustaining the virus's transmission chain. Each disruption to a campaign can set back years of progress in high-risk districts.
Official Response and Next Steps
Police officials confirmed that security has been reinforced in Chaman district following Sunday's attack. Authorities have not yet publicly identified any suspects. Pakistan's broader anti-polio programme, supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and international donors, continues to face the dual challenge of militant opposition and logistical barriers in remote areas.
With the global polio eradication deadline under pressure, the frequency of attacks on vaccination personnel in Pakistan's restive provinces is likely to remain a critical concern for health authorities and security planners alike.
Point of View
Sustaining the very transmission chains that eradication programmes are trying to break. Pakistan has pledged repeatedly to secure its vaccination workers, yet the frequency and geographic spread of attacks suggest that security arrangements remain inadequate. Until the state can guarantee safe access, the country's status as one of two remaining wild poliovirus reservoirs will not change.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the polio team attack in Balochistan on 25 May 2025?
A police official guarding a polio vaccination team was seriously injured after unidentified gunmen opened fire near Ishaqzai Qila in Chaman district, Balochistan. The polio team members were safely evacuated and additional police were deployed in the area.
Why are polio workers frequently attacked in Pakistan?
Polio workers and their security escorts are regularly targeted by militants, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where armed groups have historically opposed vaccination campaigns. Pakistan remains one of only two countries in the world where wild poliovirus is still endemic, making these attacks a direct threat to global eradication efforts.
How many polio-related security incidents have occurred in Pakistan recently?
At least three significant attacks have taken place since April 2025. Two police escorts were killed in Bajaur district on 18 May, a constable was killed and four injured in Hangu district on 13 April, and a police officer was killed in Chaman district in February. The 25 May Chaman attack adds to this toll.
Which regions of Pakistan are most affected by anti-polio violence?
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are the most affected provinces, with attacks recorded in Bajaur, Hangu, and Chaman districts in recent months. These are also the areas where vaccination coverage is hardest to achieve due to both militant activity and difficult terrain.
What is Pakistan's current status on polio eradication?
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where wild poliovirus transmission has never been interrupted. Repeated attacks on vaccination teams disrupt campaigns and leave pockets of unimmunised children, complicating the global eradication timeline.
