In brief
In a violent clash during a polio vaccination push in Mohmand district, northwestern Pakistan, two police officers were killed and a third wounded by suspected militants. The attack, which left the area cordoned for investigation, underscores the danger facing health workers in regions where polio remains endemic. Police and health authorities have not yet confirmed a claim of responsibility.
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, a gunfight broke out in Mohmand district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northern Pakistan, during a polio vaccination campaign. Two police officers were killed and another was injured when suspected militants opened fire on the security detail guarding the anti‑polio team.
According to a police report, the officers were on duty to protect the vaccination workers when the exchange of fire occurred. The wounded policeman was taken to a nearby hospital, while the attackers fled the scene. Police have cordoned off the area for further investigation.
The incident comes at a time when Pakistan remains one of only two countries where polio is still endemic, the other being Afghanistan. Vaccination campaigns in Pakistan are carried out regularly to immunise children against the disease and prevent outbreaks.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and authorities are still probing the motives behind the violence.
The killing of police officers during a public health operation highlights the increased risks faced by health workers in conflict‑affected regions of Pakistan. It raises concerns about the ability of health teams to reach all children for polio immunisation and the broader impact on disease control efforts.
