Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – In a tragic attack targeting a polio vaccination team in Pakistan’s western city of Mastung, a bombing near a girls’ school has killed seven people, including five children and a police officer. The blast occurred in Balochistan’s main market area on Friday, as police provided security for health workers on a critical polio vaccination campaign.
Rahmat Ullah, a senior police officer, confirmed the attack’s location near the school and described the explosion’s devastating impact on civilians. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the brutality, stating, “Targeting children is an act of brutality.”
This attack unfolds as Pakistan strives to eliminate polio amid growing security threats. The country, along with Afghanistan, remains among the few where polio is still endemic, with militants frequently targeting vaccination workers.
The bombing follows a rise in militant violence since 2021, when Afghanistan’s Taliban reclaimed power. Pakistani officials have accused the Afghan government of harboring militants responsible for cross-border attacks. Balochistan, in particular, has seen recurrent attacks, often attributed to the Baloch Liberation Army, a separatist group targeting Pakistani security forces and non-local civilians.
As the nation mourns, security remains heightened across regions where vaccination drives continue amid persistent threats.
