Funeral prayers for a police constable martyred in a firing attack on a polio vaccination team in Bajaur’s Salarzai tehsil were offered at the Police Lines in Civil Colony, Khar, officials said on Tuesday.

The attack took place in the Tangi area, where unidentified assailants opened fire on a polio team, killing a police official, identified as Sajjad, who was deployed for security, along with a civilian.

Following the incident, a heavy police contingent was dispatched to the area.

The funeral was attended by the deputy commissioner, the district police officer (DPO), and other senior civil and military officials.

A smartly turned-out police contingent presented a salute to the martyr, while officials laid floral wreaths on the coffin to pay tribute.

After the funeral, the body of the slain policeman was sent to his native area, where he will be laid to rest with full state honours.

The attack came days after the launch of the final polio campaign of 2025, which aims to immunise more than 45 million children across Pakistan against the disease.

Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the polio team in Bajaur, expressing deep sorrow over the martyrdom of the police official and injuries to a civilian. He offered prayers for the forgiveness of the deceased and the early recovery of the injured.

The prime minister directed authorities to swiftly identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, saying attacks on personnel performing polio eradication duties were highly condemnable.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also denounced the firing, expressing grief over the martyrdom of the police official and the death of a passerby. He paid tribute to martyred constable Sajjad Ahmed, saying the officer attained the honour of martyrdom while performing his duty and was a hero of the nation.

Naqvi described the attack as a heinous act by barbaric elements and said such sacrifices would not go in vain.

Condemning the attack, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi described the incident as highly tragic and vowed that those involved would be brought to justice. He said the protection of innocent children remains a top priority and stressed that the polio eradication campaign would not be allowed to suffer under any circumstances.

According to DPO Waqas Rafiq, strict security measures have been enforced in the area, particularly during the ongoing anti-polio drive.

He said raids are underway to arrest the suspects involved in the attack and ensure the safety of polio teams.

Police said investigations are continuing, while security across the district has been further tightened in view of the incident.