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There was immense chaos and panic outside the Israeli Embassy in Serbia’s capital, Serbia, when a minor attacker launched a deadly attack on the police personnel deployed to protect the complex. According to eyewitnesses and police reports, the attacker was carrying a deadly crossbow in his hand and suddenly fired the arrow at the Special Police Force personnel posted at the security post. The attacker raised religious slogans of ‘Allahu Akbar’ while attacking, which created a sensation in the area. The sharp arrow went straight into the policeman’s neck, seriously injuring him. However, displaying indomitable courage and quick response, the injured security personnel immediately opened fire from his service pistol, killing the attacker on the spot.
Immediately after this audacious incident, the entire city of Belgrade was put on alert and emergency services and Anti-Terrorist Squad (SAJ) were dispatched to the scene of the incident. The Ministry of Internal Affairs took immediate action and sealed the entire area and a team of forensic experts started collecting evidence. The injured policeman was immediately admitted to the nearby emergency medical center, where he underwent surgery and at present his condition is said to be stable under the supervision of doctors. This incident has once again underlined the growing threat of extremism in European countries and youth being radicalized at home.
Hours after the incident, Serbia’s Minister of Internal Affairs Ivica Dasic held a press conference confirming the seriousness of the situation. The Home Minister has officially termed it a targeted terrorist attack against the country. He said that in the preliminary investigation, the attacker has been identified as a 17-18 year old minor, who was a resident of Mladenovac city of Serbia and had become a extremist in recent times after coming in contact with Wahabi ideology. Investigative agencies suspect that the attacker may be part of a larger organized network or international extremist module, which instigated him to target foreign embassies in Serbia.
The Home Ministry has issued ‘Red Terror Alert’ across the country after the National Security Council meeting. Under this, additional security forces have been deployed at all foreign embassies, religious places, railway stations, airports and crowded public places in Belgrade. Serbian intelligence agencies (BIA) have launched a large-scale raid operation to arrest other potential associates linked to the suspected network. Dasic said that extremism and terrorism in any form will not be tolerated on Serbian soil and every culprit involved in the attack plot will be exposed and brought to justice.
After this attack on the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade, the Israeli Foreign Ministry in Tel Aviv issued a statement praising the courage of the Serbian policeman. Israel said that due to the alertness and quick response of the Serbian soldier, the lives of the diplomats and staff posted inside the embassy complex were saved. The Israeli Foreign Ministry clarified that the security arrangements of all its missions and embassies around the world are being re-evaluated, so that they can effectively deal with the global extremist threats arising in the wake of the Gaza conflict.
The European Union, the United Nations and various international human rights organizations have strongly condemned this terrorist attack. Diplomatic experts believe that the rapid radicalization of youth within the European continent is becoming a serious geopolitical challenge. The growing influence of various extremist groups, especially in the Balkan region, is a matter of concern for security agencies. After this attack, the Serbian government and the international intelligence community are now jointly investigating how youth are being pushed towards violence through the Internet and digital platforms.
This incident in Serbia has once again brought security concerns in the Balkan Peninsula into focus. Analysts say that this attack is not the result of just one person’s craze, but it is a symbol of a deep extremist thinking which is making youth pawns. The Belgrade administration has announced that accounts spreading radical content on digital media and social networking sites will be strictly monitored in the coming days. Along with this, it is planned to equip the local police force with state-of-the-art weapons and quick response equipment.
Both anger and concern over the incident are being seen among ordinary citizens and local residents in the capital Belgrade. Local people have expressed their condolences and support to the injured police officer and saluted his bravery. Serbian authorities have appealed to citizens to remain calm and to immediately report any suspicious activity to security forces. The government has assured that law and order is completely under control in the country and the fight against terrorism will continue with the policy of zero tolerance.