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Five police officials were killed and 22 others injured after a blast targeted a police vehicle in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday, local media reported, citing officials.

The policemen were on their way to provide security to polio vaccination teams at the time of the attack in Bajaur district, officials said.

All the five policemen were confirmed dead, Bajaur police spokesperson Israr Ahmed was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper.

Of the 22 people injured, 12 were being treated at Khar District Headquarters Hospital while 10 others who suffered serious injuries were referred to a hospital in Peshawar, said Dr Wazir Khan Safi, the medical superintendent at Khar District Headquarters Hospital.

Malakand Division Commissioner Saqib Raza said the polio campaign, which was supposed to take place in the region, was suspended following the blast.

In a statement, caretaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Justice (retd) Arshad Hussain Shah condemned the blast and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.