5 Afghan polio vaccinators shot dead

At least five polio workers were shot dead in eastern Afghanistan yesterday, officials said, in the area's second attacks on vaccinators in less than three months. 

The workers were gunned down in three separate locations within hours in a "coordinated attack", Nangarhar provincial police spokesman Farid Khan said blaming the attacks on the Taliban. Pakistan Health ministry confirmed the attacks. The Taliban denied responsibility.

The Taliban and religious leaders often tell communities that vaccines are a Western conspiracy aimed at sterilising Muslim children, and they also suspect immunisation drives are used to spy on militant activities.