Gunmen kill polio vaccination worker in Pakistan

The slain medical technician was on duty at a health centre run by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party.

In this December 18, 2013 photo, Pakistani students light candles to pay tribute to polio health workers killed by militants, in Karachi. Gunmen attacked a polio vaccination centre in northwestern Pakistan on Saturday killing a medical technician.

A government official says gunmen have attacked a polio vaccination centre in a tribal region in northwestern Pakistan, killing a medic on duty.

The official, Iqbal Khan, says Saturday’s attack took place in the Ghundi village of the Khyber tribal region. The slain medical technician was identified as Ghilaf Khan.

The health centre is run by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the party of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and has been known for its vaccination drives.

Mr. Imran Khan last week launched the latest anti-polio campaign. His party later reported receiving threats from Taliban militants.

Islamic militants oppose vaccination against polio and consider such campaigns a cover for spying. They have attacked and killed several anti-polio campaign workers in recent months across Pakistan.

Pakistan is one of only three countries where the polio virus is still endemic.