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Taliban militants kill anti-polio campaign doctor in Pakistan

Anti-polio workers have long been targeted in the country by Islamist groups, including the Taliban, which believes the polio immunisation drive is a conspiracy to sterilise Muslims

Govt allays concerns on polio; says India remains polio-free

Press Trust of India Peshawar
A senior doctor, who was in-charge of polio eradication campaign in Pakistan's northwest Peshawar city, was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne Taliban gunmen in the latest attack on immunisation teams in the country.

Zakaullah Khan was attacked by the unidentified gunmen after he came out of a mosque after evening prayers on Saturday.

He was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, police said.

A faction of the Pakistani Taliban, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Anti-polio workers have long been targeted in the country by Islamist groups, including the Taliban, which believes that the polio immunisation drive is a front for espionage or a conspiracy to sterilise Muslims.
 
In April, at least seven policemen were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in two separate attacks during a polio campaign.

Pakistan is one of only two countries - other than Afghanistan - in the world where polio remains endemic.

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First Published: Sep 11 2016 | 6:57 PM IST

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