A Police officer escorting a team of polio health workers was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Karak District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on January 12, reports Dawn. The slain officer was providing security to a team of polio health workers, who remain unharmed. A five-day polio vaccination campaign started January 11, during which over 40 million children under the age of five will be vaccinated across the country.
The KP Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on January 11 foiled a terrorism bid by arresting a militant and recovering explosives from him in Rashakai area of Mardan District, reports Dawn. Official sources said Mohammad Yaqoob was a key member of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The CTD acting on a tip-off apprehended the militant while standing near Shereen Kothe area with a blue shopping bag in his hands. The bag contained three detonators and six-meter prima cord.