Macedonia Govt: Kumanovo Attackers 'Neutralized'

Police forces leave a checkpoint as Macedonian special forces engage in a police action against an alleged group of armed Albanians, in Kumanovo, Macedonia, May 10, 2015.

Macedonia's Interior Ministry Spokesman has confirmed 8 police officer are dead as of Sunday afternoon after the developments in Kumanovo the previous day.

At a press conference Ivo Koteski made clear that the operation against the attackers had now ended, with some of the assaulters "eliminated".

Authorities had not confirmed until this moment that the operation was over. Now a message is also available on the Interior Ministry's website [MK].

"We are talking about one of the most dangerous terrorist groups which were a threat ot the entire region and which was involved in a number of attacks, and its members were subject to international warrants over the heaviest criminal offenses," the ministry points in its message, but does not elaborate which the group's name was.

It however gives names of people suspected of leading the group: Muhamed Krasniqi, Mirsad Ndrecaj, Sami Ukshini, Beg Rizak and Dim Shehi.

All are described as Kosovo nationals.

He added that 14 bodies wearing uniforms "whose identity will further be established" were found at the site of the last shootout.

Earlier, Koteski had stated that the armed men who opened fire on police had entered Macedonia from "a neighboring country".

In his words, some 30 "terrorists" had surrendered to police on Saturday evening.

Two separatist entities of Albanian minorities have already claimed responsibility, but this cannot yet be confirmed.

A session of Macedonia's security council is to take place in the coming hour, with President Gorge Ivanov and political parties to discuss the events.

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