A policeman was martyred when unidentified attackers opened fire on an anti-polio vaccination team in Khyber district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Monday.

The attack coincided with the launch of Pakistan’s first nationwide anti-polio campaign of the year, which aims to immunize 45 million children across the country.

The incident occurred on the opening day of the week-long drive, scheduled to run from February 3 to 9, 2025.

Officials confirmed that the slain officer’s body was promptly transported to a hospital for necessary procedures.

In response to the attack, law enforcement agencies have launched a manhunt to apprehend those responsible.

This year’s polio campaign holds particular significance as it strives to protect children from the crippling disease.

The Ministry of National Health has set specific immunization targets across different regions, with over 45 million children expected to receive the polio vaccine.

In Punjab, more than 23.3 million children will be vaccinated, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa aims to immunize 7.299 million. Balochistan has a target of 2.66 million children, and 800,000 children in Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan will also be covered. Sindh, including Karachi and other districts, has a goal of vaccinating over 16 million children.

Despite security risks, authorities remain committed to ensuring every child receives the polio vaccine. The government has pledged to strengthen security measures to safeguard health workers, who continue to face threats from militants in certain regions.