Mastung – 23 April 2025: A deadly polio team security attack in Mastung killed two Levies officials who were guarding health workers during an anti-polio drive. Unknown armed men opened fire on the security personnel in Killi Mohi Tiri, a remote area of Mastung district in Balochistan.
One Levies official died at the scene, while another sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a nearby medical facility. Despite doctors’ efforts, the injured officer succumbed to his wounds during treatment, according to Levies officials.
The attack targeted the security team accompanying health workers administering polio vaccines in the region. Authorities identified the slain officers as Nik Muhammad, son of Muhammad Hassan Shahwani, and Maqsood Ahmed, son of Habib Khan.
Security forces launched a search operation in the area to trace the attackers, but no arrests were reported by press time.
This incident highlights ongoing risks faced by frontline health and security workers involved in national polio eradication efforts. Such attacks not only threaten lives but also disrupt critical public health initiatives in remote and high-risk regions.
Officials have condemned the violence and reiterated their commitment to continue the vaccination campaign across Balochistan despite threats. Polio workers and their escorts often face danger in conflict-prone areas where anti-vaccine sentiment and insurgent activity overlap. Authorities are reviewing security protocols for future immunization campaigns in vulnerable regions, especially in southern Balochistan.
Pakistan remains one of the few countries still battling the spread of polio, requiring consistent and safe vaccination efforts.
Disclaimer: This news report is based on verified ground information and official sources.
