Two Police Officers Killed Protecting Polio Vaccination Teams In Pakistan

Two police officers assigned to protect polio vaccination teams were killed in separate targeted attacks in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) province, on Monday, May 18, 2026, as Pakistan launched a nationwide campaign to vaccinate 19 million children against polio. The attacks occurred as the officers were returning home after providing security for the teams, according to officials.

The victims were identified by local police as part of the security detail for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a program supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international health partners. The attacks took place in two different areas of Bajaur, a district bordering Afghanistan, where militant groups have previously targeted polio workers and their security personnel.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the killings in a statement, offering condolences to the families of the slain officers. “These cowardly acts will not deter Pakistan’s commitment to eradicating polio,” Naqvi said. “The government remains fully committed to protecting our health workers and ensuring every child receives the vaccine they need.”

Militant opposition persists despite global eradication efforts

Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan remain the only two countries in the world where polio has not been eradicated, according to the WHO. The vaccination campaign, which began this month, aims to reach 19 million children across the country, following a previous nationwide drive in April that successfully vaccinated over 45 million children. However, the persistent violence against polio workers has hindered progress.

Militant groups, including the Pakistani Taliban, have repeatedly claimed that polio vaccination drives are part of a Western conspiracy to sterilize Muslim children. Since the 1990s, more than 200 polio workers and security personnel have been killed in Pakistan due to such attacks, according to government officials. No group has yet claimed responsibility for Monday’s killings, but authorities suspect involvement from local militant factions active in the region.

Global health community reacts to renewed violence

The renewed violence has drawn condemnation from international health organizations. The WHO and UNICEF have repeatedly urged Pakistani authorities to enhance security for vaccination teams, emphasizing that polio eradication remains a global health priority. Despite these challenges, health officials have vowed to continue the campaign, stressing that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks posed by militant opposition.

For families affected by the attacks, support is available through the Pakistan Police Welfare Trust, which provides assistance to the families of martyred officers. The trust can be contacted for further details on compensation and rehabilitation programs.