The health workers have refused to discharge their duties as polio vaccinators in Pakistan's restive Khyber Agency following the fresh killing of a polio worker in the region.
The polio workers have denied to continue the vaccination process throughout the Agency until adequate security is provided to them, Geo TV reported today, citing the health department sources.
The announcement came after a polio worker, identified as Yousuf, was killed yesterday. Unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle shot dead Yousuf outside his home in Jamrud.
Assistant Political Agent of Jamrud Jahangir Azam Wazir claimed the killing of the worker was not an act of terrorism, rather it was the result of personal rivalry.
Meanwhile, the political administration arrested 27 suspected people, including 12 motorcyclists, during a search operation after the killing. The detainees were taken to the Jamrud lock-up for questioning.
The anti-polio campaign in the Khyber Agency was launched 10 days behind schedule.
Unidentified armed men also killed two police officers in the adjoining Swabi district when they were on their way to escort the anti-polio vaccinators.
The policemen were deputed to escort the anti-polio team in Topi Tehsil, but they came under attack on the Swabi-Topi Road.
As per the planning, the campaign would not be carried out in the entire district on the same day, rather it would be launched in the specific areas on alternate days in order to provide adequate security to polio vaccinators.
Pakistan is one of only three countries in the world where the polio virus is still endemic, but efforts to stamp out the crippling disease have been hit by repeated attacks on health teams.
Pakistan has recorded a whopping 72 cases of polio this year compared to 58 in 2012.
India this week announced that it would require citizens from Pakistan and other polio-affected nations travelling to the country to take a mandatory polio vaccination at least six weeks prior to their departure.
