Two police officers were injured in a shooting late Monday night in Sarajevo's Novi Grad Municipality, the police reported.

According to the police report, three unidentified persons opened fire when the officers tried to prevent them from stealing a car, after which they headed towards Istocno Sarajevo.

“In an attempt to protect themselves from a direct death threat, police officers responded to the shooting, and the unidentified persons headed towards Istocno Sarajevo,” said the police report.

One of the police officers suffered severe injuries and was hospitalized at the General Hospital Sarajevo.

Sarajevo Canton prosecutor and police officers of the Canton's Police Administration have opened an investigation into this accident, to shed light on the case and identify the perpetrators.

“Attack on a police officer is the attack on the state,” assessed Sarajevo Canton Interior Minister Vedran Mulabdic.