The police action which started this morning in Kumanovo for, according to MOI, the liquidation of an armed group, is still ongoing. According to news crews who are on site, as the police operation takes place, shots and detonations can be heard from the settlement “Divo naselje”.
According to recent information, which is not yet confirmed, at least 15 policemen are wounded, three of whom are reportedly in critical condition. Some media report that there are casualties as well.
Strong police forces are present on the streets in the city, which is constantly monitored by helicopters.
Residents of this settlement say for “Portalb” that the operation is still ongoing. Anesa Aliti, who lives in this area, said she heard from her yard as special forces say “yellow house is clean”, implying that the houses were raided.
– I cannot understand what is going on outside the window, I heard shots. We heard helicopters and ambulance sirens several times. And we also saw smoke in the sky. Residents of nearby houses heard the words: “…the yellow house is clean…”, meaning that the houses are raided.
– Kumanovo is in bad condition since the morning. The morning was filled with detonations, gunfire, helicopters and it lasts all day. There are actions of MOI to liquidate the armed group which is present in that part of the city for days – said Damjanovski, reports “Nova TV“.
Kumanovo Mayor Zoran Damjanovski – Cic, said that the situation in the city is dramatic and urged citizens to remain calm and not to succumb to provocations. Citizens to remain calm, to preserve soundness, not to engage in any groups because of ethnic divisions, because all contact with political parties and civil society organizations, especially Albanian, said that there is no support and crisis should be ended with the elimination of this group and restore the peace and tranquility of citizens in Kumanovo – appealed Kumanovo Mayor.
According to the portal, it was an armed group of about 50 to 70 people who were allegedly located in a residential house.
Deputy Minister of Interior Ivo Kotevski and Minister of Health Nikola Todorov visited the wounded police officers that were taken to the Clinical Centre in Skopje.
Increased presence of police officers is noted.
Journalists are not allowed access to clinics.
Director of Clinical Center says that he won’t give statements to media but that it will be done by Minister of Health Nikola Todorov or Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska.
