BELGRADE — A Serbian police officer was injured in a crossbow attack outside the Israeli embassy in Belgrade, with Interior Minister Ivica Dacic confirming that the officer subsequently shot and killed the assailant.

The attacker, who has not yet been identified by authorities, struck the policeman in the neck, Minister Dacic told reporters. The injured officer has been rushed to the hospital for surgery and is reported to be in critical condition.

According to Serbian broadcaster B92, Minister Dacic explained that the assailant approached a small building at the front of the Israeli embassy around 11:00 local time (09:00 GMT), ostensibly inquiring about a museum. After entering the building, the attacker retrieved a crossbow and shot the officer. The officer returned fire, and the assailant succumbed to injuries about thirty minutes later.

Special prosecutors have taken over the case, and several individuals have been detained as a precautionary measure, Minister Dacic added. While he suggested the possibility of a broader threat, Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic characterized the incident as "a crime committed by an individual."

In remarks carried by the Beta news agency, Prime Minister Vucevic labeled the incident "an act of madness, unrelated to any religion or nationality."

The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed that the embassy was closed at the time of the attack and that none of its personnel were harmed. — BBC