Polio Team Faces Harassment During Vaccination Campaign in Rawalpindi
A polio vaccination team was allegedly threatened and prevented from carrying out official duties during an anti-polio campaign in Rawalpindi, according to police officials.
The incident reportedly took place near Hussain Abad Graveyard in the Naseerabad area during an ongoing door-to-door vaccination drive. Police said a local resident allegedly misbehaved with a female polio worker, used abusive language, and threatened members of the vaccination team, creating fear and panic among the staff.
Authorities registered a case on the complaint of the district health department, while the suspect had not been arrested at the time the report was filed.
A four-day anti-polio campaign began in Rawalpindi on Monday, with around 900 police personnel deployed to provide security for vaccination teams visiting homes to administer polio drops to children.
According to officials, a comprehensive security plan was put in place to ensure the safety of health workers during the campaign running from May 18 to May 21.
Suspect Arrested After Police Encounter
In a separate incident, police arrested a suspect injured during an alleged encounter in the New Town area, while his accomplice managed to escape.
Police said two suspects allegedly opened fire on a police team late Monday night. During the exchange, one suspect was injured and taken into custody, while the second suspect fled the scene.
Authorities recovered a stolen motorcycle and a fake number plate from the suspects. Investigators said the motorcycle had reportedly been stolen from the New Town area about a month earlier.
Police added that the arrested suspect was wanted in multiple criminal cases, including motorcycle theft, in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Gujrat. A search operation is underway to arrest the absconding suspect.
