Skopje, May 9, 2015/Independent Balkan News Agency

By Naser Pajaziti

Armed clashes have been registered today between police and an armed group in the center of Kumanovo, in FYR Macedonia.

Police forces have surrounded the city along with special forces and helicopters.

IBNA learns from unofficial sources that this clash led to the killing of four civilians and several wounded.

“Based on the information that we have, four people remained killed and among them was a child. We’re waiting on more concrete information. We have no further information as to what’s happening. We see homes in fire and great damages”, IBNA was told by a resident of Kumanovo.

This quarter has been surrounded by police forces and no journalists or monitors are allowed to enter the area.

There are also reports for deaths among police forces. Macedonian portals talk about casualties among police officers and tens of wounded.

15 wounded people have been sent to the Central Clinic of Skopje and a part of them are civilians and police officers. This news has not yet been confirmed by official sources.

Residents of Kumanovo say that they’re worried and terrorized by what this siege that they’re going through.

The area of the incident is near the Corridor 10 highway which links Kumanovo to Skopje. Police have surrounded the area near the highway and blocked the highway itself.

Sporadic gun shots have been heard in the recent hours in Albanian quarters.

Ambulance sirens have been heard at the hospital of the city but emergency services do not issue any details.

Ajdini family from Kumanovo says that they have experienced a true ordeal as a result of the clashes taken place this morning. This family talks about the terrifying moments that they lived and also the arrest of their family member, Besnik Ajdini, who was sleeping with his wife and children.

“It was 5 am and we were sleeping. We heart shots. Around 9 am I sought help from police. They took us outside. They also took my husband away, Besnik Ajdini and I don’t know where they took him”, said Lule, Besnik’s wife.

Police spokesman, Ivo Kotevski has confirmed the clash between police and an armed group.

“Police operation started this morning, following information about an armed group in this part of Kumanovo”, Kotevski said.

He added that until the operation ends, he cannot issue any information about eventual victims or arrested people.

See more at: IBNA