Witness Shala: Terrorist group in Banjska was trained by Serbian paramilitary structure

In his testimony, Shala said that by the way of the attack, the use of different weapons and the tactics of the terrorist group's progress, it was clearly a well-organised, trained and equipped unit with sophisticated weapons.

The Banjska Village is surrounded by mountains. The shooting has come from more than 20 countries. Based on shots and weapons used, from the easiest weapons to the ones used for armoured vehicles, we think this terrorist group has been trained by Serbia's paramilitary structure. There have been about 50 people, organised militarily”, Shala said.

He added that the organisation and selection of the country's attack on a favourable ground for attack and defence, as well as followed tactics, testify to a good professional preparation.

I think that behind this group lies a man with epithets on them. According to what we have understood from the media, the organiser was Milan Radoicic, who has already admitted to” himself, he said.

The Witness also told of the direct confrontation with the armed group in the early hours of September 24, 2023. According to him, during the confrontation, a hand grenade thrown by attackers has caused damage to the right eardrum.

Until we were in a shootout with the terrorist group, the moment we managed to get the sergeant out, they threw a hand grenade. Her knee damaged my right eardrum”, Shala indicated.

He related how he had patrolled that night with colleagues Elez Peci and Sedat Dushi and after receiving information about blocking the bridge with two trucks, they were headed for the village of Banjska.

Shala said they had encountered a suspicious car along the way and that at the entrance of the village they had noticed lack of lighting in the surrounding houses, which they had considered unusual.

Following the testimony, he described the moments of the attack.

We heard a huge explosion and then started shooting in our direction when I saw a body lying about three and a half feet away, approached and identified it as the sergeant. I put my hand around his neck to control his pulse, but because of the ongoing shooting, I couldn't understand his situation immediately”, Shala confessed.

He indicated that he had sought help through the radio, directing that light in the area be damaged to prevent the movement of the terrorist group and had demanded that Border Unit's vehicle be approached, which because of the attack had been unable to start.

Under severe fire conditions, Elez Peci took our car and arrived at us. He said: Michelle, you can't put yourself in the car. I asked for help to put the sergeant in the car while I continued to oppose the terrorist group, preventing him from coming near. They have been very close, about 10 to 15 meters”, the witness stressed.

According to Shala, from the positions and manner of shooting, it was clear that the armed forces had been intent on causing as much damage to the Kosovo Police as possible.

The very way of blocking the road with trucks, weapons that have been used, and co-ordinated attacks show that everything has been directed against Kosovo Police uniform and the state of Kosovo. It was a supported and carefully planned terrorist attack by Serbia's state structure”, he said.

At the end of his testimony, Fahri Shala stressed that, despite the high intensity of the attack and continued danger, they had never withdrawn from their positions. /Periscope/