Cop martyred, 4 injured in attack on police team in Hangu

Lead

A police constable was killed and four other officers wounded on Monday (April 13, 2026) when unidentified militants opened fire on a police contingent deployed to protect a polio vaccination team in Hangu district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), according to multiple reports. The attack occurred in Thall tehsil, in the Chapri Waziran area under Thall police station, as the country launched a week-long nationwide anti-polio campaign running from April 13 to 19.

Coverage Comparison

The incident was reported across several Pakistani and regional outlets, with some variation in the details and emphasis. Dawn, Pakistan's leading English-language daily, carried multiple reports that focused on the death of the constable, the immediate police retaliation, and the broader context of attacks on polio teams. The Hindu, an Indian newspaper, reported the same attack but emphasized the injuries, stating at least four police personnel were hurt, without initially confirming the fatality.

The differing details reflect the evolving nature of the story. While some early reports focused on the injuries, later reporting from Dawn consistently described the death of the constable and named him as Farhan Bashir in one account. The discrepancies are likely due to the timing of reports and the flow of official information.

Key Claims

• Attack and casualties: A police constable was martyred and four other officers injured when terrorists opened sudden fire on a police party in Hangu's Thall tehsil, according to the Hangu District Police statement as cited by multiple Dawn reports. The injured were taken to a hospital. The Hindu initially reported only injuries, indicating four personnel were hurt, including the Additional SHO of Thall.

• Police retaliation: The police team retaliated immediately, with reports of two terrorists' deaths as a result, according to Kohat Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Irfan Tariq, as quoted by Dawn. However, the attackers reportedly took the bodies of their accomplices from the scene.

• Campaign context: The attack occurred on the first day of a nationwide vaccination campaign (April 13–19, 2026) and was the first attack on law enforcement personnel deployed for polio teams' security this year, as per Dawn's reporting.

• Official reactions: KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the attack and sought a report from the provincial police chief. He described the targeting of personnel on national duty as an "extremely cowardly act," according to a statement from his office cited by Dawn. Prime Minister's focal person on polio eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, also condemned the attack, calling it "unacceptable" and expressing grief over the constable's martyrdom.

• Security of polio teams: Polio vaccinators are frequently targeted by militants, especially in KP and Balochistan, as highlighted by Dawn. The report also noted that the number of violent incidents against polio teams had decreased last year due to security measures, with four policemen and one civilian killed and three police officials injured in 2025, and 17 health workers kidnapped during vaccination campaigns.

Perspectives

Security and Militancy: The attack is part of a pattern of militant violence targeting polio vaccination teams in Pakistan, particularly in the conservative regions of KP and Balochistan. The immediate police retaliation and the continuation of the campaign reflect a security response aimed at not allowing such attacks to disrupt vaccination efforts.

Polio Eradication Effort: For the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI), the attack underscores the risks faced by frontline workers. The programme expressed deep concern and condemned the attacks, reiterating that the safety of teams is "non-negotiable" and that such acts will not deter the mission.

Public Health Context: Polio remains endemic in Pakistan, one of the last two countries alongside Afghanistan. The current campaign targets 45 million children; as of the third day, over 27 million children had been vaccinated, according to NEOC data cited by Dawn. The attack highlights the intersection of public health and security challenges.

Official Condemnation: Both provincial and federal authorities condemned the attack, with the KP Chief Minister seeking a report and directing that the injured receive the best facilities. The federal focal person extended condolences and solidarity with law enforcement and frontline workers.