PRISHTINA — Acting President of Kosovo Albulena Haxhiu has said that Kosovo Police Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku and his colleagues prevented an attempt to separate and annex part of northern Kosovo to Serbia during the armed attack in Banjska, Zvečan, on September 24, 2023.
Haxhiu made the remarks at a memorial academy marking the third anniversary of Bunjaku’s death in the line of duty. She recalled the events of the Banjska attack and said Kosovo institutions had presented evidence that members of the armed group had been trained and prepared in Serbia, while much of the weaponry used in the attack had also originated there.
“On September 24, 2023, in the early hours of the morning, Afrim Bunjaku and his colleagues headed toward Banjska after receiving information that the entrance to the village had been blocked by two trucks,” Haxhiu said.
According to Haxhiu, the police officers encountered what she described as a pre-planned armed attack involving an organized group equipped with explosives, automatic weapons and large quantities of ammunition.
“The objective was not only an attack on the Kosovo Police, but the separation of part of the territory of the Republic of Kosovo and its annexation to Serbia,” she said.
Haxhiu added that this interpretation had also been reflected in a ruling issued this year by the Basic Court in Prishtina in the Banjska case.
She also highlighted Bunjaku’s long career in the Kosovo Police, saying he had served for 22 years in the institution, including 16 years as a sergeant.
According to Haxhiu, when the police team reached the roadblock, Bunjaku moved ahead of the younger officers and approached the scene first.
“An explosive device detonated at that moment. Afrim and police officer Alban Rashiti were injured, while the officers were subsequently targeted by gunfire,” she said.
Haxhiu said Lieutenant Mirsad Kryeziu managed to pull Bunjaku away from the area where he had been injured.
Bunjaku died that morning while on duty.
Haxhiu said, however, that the armed group failed to achieve its alleged objective.
“His colleagues continued the operation, the Kosovo Police brought the situation under control and prevented the armed group from taking control of territory in the north of the country,” she said.
She described Bunjaku’s actions and those of his colleagues as an example of courage and professionalism, adding that the attack’s alleged attempt to separate and annex northern Kosovo had ultimately failed.
The Banjska attack on September 24, 2023, resulted in the death of Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku and triggered a major security operation in northern Kosovo. Kosovo authorities have repeatedly accused Serbia of supporting or facilitating the armed group involved, while Belgrade has rejected accusations of direct state involvement.
