The four police who had been slightly injured during the shooting, which blew up in the Forest district on Tuesday during a search, have now been able to leave hospital. So indicated the Interior Minister, Jan Jambon, on Radio 1 (VRT - a radio station in the Flemish region of Belgium). Owing to their minor injuries, two of them were able to return home on Tuesday.
At the time of the attack, one or indeed several individuals shot at police as soon as they opened the door. Four police were injured: three initially, of whom one was a French policewoman, then a fourth during subsequent exchanges of fire.
Questioned upon the manner in which the police assessed the situation and upon whether or not it had been underestimated, Mr Jambon simply replied that each search was always subject to a risk assessment. “If the operation is considered to be dangerous, the Directorate of Special Units (DSU - part of the Federal Police) takes charge.” However nowadays those waiting behind the door, when law enforcement agencies enter, are not just terrorists; they are professional criminals who are out to dupe the police. Nine times out of ten, the assessment is correct, but sometimes things work out slightly differently.”
Mr Jambon says that criticisms, however, are inappropriate at this stage of the investigation, "whilst the police are working 24/7.” The Federal Prosecutor is, at the time of writing, due to speak during a press conference scheduled for 10.30 a.m. in Brussels. A National Security Council, comprising both the main ministers involved and those in charge of the security services, is also expected to convene this afternoon (Wednesday).
(Source: Belga)
