QUETTA: A vaccinator died when a team of polio vaccinators came under attack near here on Tuesday.

The attack took place near Rindgarh on the outskirts of the city.

The All Pakistan Paramedical Staff Federation has condemned the attack and demanded arrest of the killers.

Addressing a press conference, president of the federation Abdul Samad Raisani reminded the government of its responsibility to provide security to teams engaged in anti-polio campaigns to ensure success of the vaccination programme.

Officials said the attack highlighted resistance to the country’s immunisation campaign, adds AFP.

The shooting happened a day after a three-day campaign was launched across the country, senior government official Tariq Mengal said.

A team of male and female vaccinators was engaged in a door-to-door campaign to administer polio drops to children below five years of age when unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle shot dead a male volunteer, he said.“We are investigating if the deceased had any dispute with the attackers or the shooting was carried out by opponents of the campaign,” he said.

The campaign had been suspended in several areas of Quetta as the shooting had sparked fear among the vaccinators, said Mr Mengal.

“We will assess the security situation before resuming the campaign on Wednesday,” he added.

The place of the attack is home to thousands of Afghan refugees and local tribesmen.