UPDATES WITH ATTACKER'S ID AND MORE DETAILS FROM MINISTRIES
By Talha Ozturk
BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) — A man in Serbia's capital Belgrade was shot dead after attacking a police officer in front of the Israeli Embassy on Saturday, the Balkan country's Interior Ministry said.
According to the ministry, a Gendarmerie officer identified as Milos Jevremovic used a weapon in self-defense on the attacker, who died due to his injuries, the ministry said.
Jevremovic works as a permanent security guard at the embassy.
The police officer was transported to an emergency center in a conscious state, where he will undergo an operation to remove an arrow from his neck.
An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances of the attack and possible motives.
The ministry said the officer was shot in the neck with a bow and arrow.
The ministry identified the attacker as 25-year old Milos Zujovic, who moved to live in Novi Pazar city.
"The police will conduct searches at several locations. All our forces are on high alert," said Interior Minister Ivica Dacic in a statement.
Dacic earlier went to the emergency center to visit the injured officer who suffered serious injuries.
Dacic called the incident a terrorist act and said police detained another individual near the police facilities as a precaution.
Speaking at a news conference, he said that those involved were known to security forces.
Officials and diplomats of the Israeli Embassy were not in the building at the time of the incident when the officer was attacked.
"The police are investigating the case. We have no further details. At the time of the event, the embassy was closed, and its officials and diplomats were not in the building. We wish the wounded member of the gendarmerie a speedy recovery," the embassy told local broadcaster N1.
Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic said that attempt to kill gendarme is not only "a terrorist act, but also an insidious act of cowardice."
Gasic added that the defense and security system of the Republic of Serbia is strong and stable and that it will respond harshly and uncompromisingly to every form of terrorism.
Serbian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the country will have zero tolerance towards terrorism and any kind of extremism.
"We are convinced that our competent state authorities will effectively and fully shed light on the circumstances and motives of the attack.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia is in communication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel and the diplomats of that country in Belgrade, to whom they will provide all the necessary help and support," said the ministry.