Marko Drobnjakovic/AP
Police officers work at the crime scene close to the Israeli embassy in Belgrade on Saturday.
CNN
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A police officer at the Israeli Embassy in the Serbian capital Belgrade was shot in the neck with a crossbow in a suspected terror attack on Saturday, CNN affiliate N1 reported.
The police officer shot the attacker who later died, according to N1. The officer has been taken to hospital and will need an operation to remove an arrow from his neck.
Serbia’s Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said the incident was “undoubtedly a terrorist attack,” saying several people believed to have been linked to the incident had been arrested.
Dacic said an unknown person, “whose identity is being determined,” shot the police officer with a crossbow around 11 a.m. local time, according to N1.
“He was carrying a bag with him and he took out a crossbow from the bag and shot the gendarme in the neck with the arrow.
“The gendarme reacted immediately, as much as he could until he fell to the ground… he took out his gun and fired several shots at the assailant. The attacker died after half an hour,” said Dacic.
“All circumstances of the attack and possible motives are being investigated,” he added.
The minister said some other people “who were near the police facilities” were arrested “as a precaution.”
Dacic said there were indications the incident involved individuals “already known to the police and security services – it is about members of the Wahhabi movement,” referring to a strict branch of Islam.
A spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs also called the incident an “attempted terrorist attack” in a statement. None of its employees were wounded, the ministry said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz thanked the Serbian government on X Saturday for its support. “I would also like to send my wishes for a quick recovery to the injured guard. Terrorism cannot be tolerated!” Katz wrote.
Israel-linked institutions in Europe have been on high alert for potential attacks in the wake of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, launched after Islamist militant group Hamas carried out cross-border raids in Israel on October 7.
Many European countries have ramped up security measures around Jewish establishments including places of worship.
Abhinav Thawait is a globe-trotting correspondent with a passion for international affairs. With a background in international relations, he offers a global perspective on the most pressing issues around the world. Abhinav’s curiosity takes his to the far corners of the earth, where he seeks to share untold stories and diverse viewpoints.
