Global Rice News

PESHAWAR, Jan 8 — A devastating attack took place in northwestern Pakistan today, targeting police officers who were assigned to protect polio vaccination workers. A roadside bomb, believed to be an improvised explosive device (IED), targeted a police truck carrying around 25 officers on anti-polio campaign duties. According to Anwar ul Haq, a senior government official in Bajaur district, at least five police officers lost their lives in the attack, with an additional 20 sustaining injuries. The incident occurred in Mamund, a town situated approximately 14 kilometers (nine miles) from the Afghan border.

While no group has claimed responsibility for this attack at the time of reporting, Islamist militants, including the Pakistan Taliban, have been known to target polio vaccination workers and their security escorts in the past. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic. The opposition to vaccination grew following the revelation that the US Central Intelligence Agency orchestrated a fake vaccination drive as part of an operation to locate Osama bin Laden in the Pakistani town of Abbottabad. Furthermore, certain clerics in the border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan have spread misinformation, suggesting that the oral vaccine contains prohibited substances such as pork and alcohol.

Unfortunately, this attack comes at a time of turmoil for Pakistan, as the country grapples with security, economic, and political crises. The upcoming general election, originally set for February 8, has been delayed due to these ongoing challenges. Throughout 2021, Pakistan experienced a significant uptick in militant attacks, particularly in border regions with Afghanistan, following the resurgence of the Taliban. In fact, last year witnessed the highest number of casualties in six years, with over 1,500 individuals, including civilians, security forces, and militants, losing their lives in attacks and counter-terrorism operations. Pakistani authorities accuse hostile groups of operating from “sanctuaries” across the border, an allegation that the Taliban government vehemently denies.

Within the domestic landscape, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) poses the most significant threat to Pakistan. This Taliban faction, which shares a common lineage with the rulers of Kabul, has found shelter and active support from the Taliban government in Afghanistan. According to a report by the United Nations Security Council, the TTP has an estimated membership of between 4,000 and 6,000 militants in Afghanistan alone.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the challenges Pakistan faces in combating terrorism. Efforts to eradicate polio, a disease that has devastating consequences, must continue despite the dangers posed by militants. Ensuring the safety of vaccination workers and increasing public awareness about the importance of immunization will be crucial steps in successfully addressing this public health crisis. It is imperative that Pakistan receives support from the international community in its endeavors to protect its citizens and eliminate polio once and for all.

Source: [Malay Mail](https://www.malaymail.com)