QUETTA - Two female polio workers and security men were gunned down in separate terror incidents in Balochistan’s capital Thursday.
In the first incident, armed motorcyclists opened fire on female polio workers during an anti-polio campaign in Bareach Town which falls into the jurisdiction of Shalkot police station. As a result, one of the polio workers died on the spot while the other succumbed to her wounds on the way to hospital, said Quetta SSP (Operations) Naseebullah.
The SSP added the incident took place at 11:35am when the female workers were busy in the polio campaign.
The chief coordinator of Polio Emergency Operation Centre, Balochistan, launched a fresh anti-polio drive in the province from January 15 to wipe out the crippling virus from the province.
The five-day polio drive was kicked off in three districts of Quetta, Pishin and Qilla Abdullah, while a three-day campaign was launched in the rest of the districts of the province. “No specific security was present with the female health workers,” admitted the SSP. He, however, said police mobile teams were patrolling the area to ensure security to polio teams. The slain health workers were identified as Sakina Bibi and her 12-year-old daughter Rizwani Bibi.
“An appropriate security could not be provided to the health workers for lack of staff,” Zafar, a media coordinator of the Polio Emergency Operation Centre, responded when asked about the safety of anti-polio teams.
He said each polio team is escorted by a security guard, but there was no guard Thursday with the lady health workers as a result of which this untoward incident took place. He confirmed the Shalkot police mobile teams were patrolling the area for the protection of the polio teams.
Sakina Bibi, a polio worker, was being assisted by her daughter during the campaign, Zafar, the media coordinator of the polio centre, said. He vowed the anti-polio drive would continue on Friday (today) as well.
“Three polio cases were reported in 2017 in Balochistan, which surfaced in Zhob, Gulistan and Chaman,” a health official revealed.
Although raids against the culprits are being made, no arrest has so far been made, the police official confirmed.
In the other incident, two policemen of Rapid Response Group were shot dead while another sustained serious bullet injuries in Quetta.
The Balochistan Constabulary personnel were targeted at Sariab Flyover Bridge, said the police. Constables, Shaukat and Ilyas, were killed on the spot, while Javed was critically wounded and shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta.
The funeral prayer of the martyred security men was offered in Quetta police line, which was attended by the IGP, civilian officers and other high officials from police and FC.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo also strongly condemned the killing of the two female polio workers. He termed the attack a cowardice act and terrorism. He said an attack on those working to serve the people is an attack on humanity.
Bizenjo directed the IGP to utilise all available resources to apprehend the culprits. He also instructed the police chief to provide maximum security to the polio workers. Later the CM chaired a security meeting at CM House and ordered for suspension of the SHO concerned.
APP adds from Islamabad: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also strongly condemned the attack on the polio team in Quetta. He called for a report on the incident from the Balochistan chief secretary and the IGP.
The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to make every possible effort to apprehend the culprits involved in the incident. Expressing sympathies with the bereaved families, the prime minister said polio teams were rendering a huge national service to save children from the crippling disease.