KARACHI: First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari strongly condemned the attack on an anti-polio team in Swat’s Matta area, which resulted in the martyrdom of a Levies officer, Yaseen.

Expressing profound grief and sorrow over the tragic loss of life, the first lady said that those who targeted health workers and security personnel, engaged in the noble mission of protecting children from preventable diseases, were the enemies of humanity, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release.

She paid tribute to the martyred Levies officer for his courage and commitment to duty, noting that his sacrifice would always be remembered.

Aseefa Bhutto Zardari reaffirmed that the eradication of polio remained a top national priority and emphasised that such cowardly acts could not shake Pakistan’s resolve to ensure a healthy, safe and polio-free future for every child.

The first lady extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul.

Earlier, A Levies personnel assigned to protect an anti-polio vaccination team was shot dead when unidentified assailants opened fire in the remote area of Anzar Tangay Byakan, Tehsil Matta, in Swat district.

According to Swat District Police Officer (DPO), the attack took place as members of the vaccination team were carrying out duties under the ongoing national immunisation campaign.

In a separate incident in Quetta, unidentified gunmen snatched weapons and bulletproof vests from two policemen deployed for the security of polio teams in the Mianghundi area, police said. Law enforcement agencies have launched a search and investigation to trace and apprehend the culprits.