News / Asia

2 Polio Workers Killed in Pakistan

Malikhel, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan
Malikhel, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan
TEXT SIZE - +
VOA News
A roadside bomb has killed two polio vaccination workers in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region, where several attacks on such workers have taken place in the past two months.

Officials said Thursday's attack happened as two men were traveling to the village of Malikhel. A roadside bomb went off and killed them both.

On Tuesday police said gunmen killed a police officer escorting a polio vaccination team in Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as the workers went door-to-door to vaccinate children against the virus. Neither of the health workers was killed in that attack.

Gunmen in December killed nine health workers carrying out such vaccinations across Pakistan.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but in the past, the Taliban has indicated violent opposition to the vaccinations and accused health workers of being spies. There also are rumors in Pakistan that the vaccinations are meant to make Muslim children sterile.

Pakistan is one of only three countries in the world where polio is endemic. The problem is worst in the tribal regions, where militants are most active.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

You May Like

Video Star Trek Influence Lives Long and Prospers

As new movie thrills, many are once again discussing the iconic franchise's influence on society, science and technology More

OECD: Developing Green Cities Key to Sustainable Future

OECD suggests strategies to mitigate rapid growth, industrialization in urban centers, which produce about two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions More

Video Safe Rooms Saved Lives in Tornado Disaster

Safety experts say more safe rooms are needed in areas where tornadoes frequently strike More

Featured Videos

Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Video

Video Volunteers Help Revive LA's Concrete River

The Los Angeles River is a concrete drainage channel through much of its 80-kilometer length. It channels waste-water from storm drains and has become a receptacle for much of the city's trash. But as Mike O'Sullivan reports, the river is slowly being restored with the help of volunteers, who take part in an annual clean-up.