A large quantity of weapons, including machine-guns, manual missile launchers, anti-tank mines, explosives, detonators..., have been discovered and seized during an operation conducted by the police early this morning in the vicinity of Blace village.

A shootout began after the people guarding the weapons opened fire on the police officers.

The attackers fled after the shootout, in which none of the police officers were injured.

Interior Ministry spokesman Ivo Kotevski said the police launched an operation following intelligence reports on stored weapons several kilometers northeast of Blace village. He said that a significant amount of stored weapons was seized.

Other items that were discovered and seized include uniforms, bulletproof vests, communications equipment and ammunition.

The site is currently being investigated. As soon as the procedure is completed, the weapons will be handed over for forensic analyses.