Heavily armed police units descended upon a residential area of Oslo on Thursday afternoon following reports of an explosion and a potentially armed individual, launching a major anti-terror operation that sent shockwaves through the Norwegian capital.
Residents in the vicinity of the incident were ordered to remain indoors and lock their doors as special forces teams secured the area. The dramatic police response included the deployment of bomb disposal experts and helicopters circling overhead.
Chaotic Scenes in Residential Neighbourhood
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as police vehicles, including armoured units, rushed to the scene. The sound of the initial explosion prompted widespread alarm, with local media reporting windows being blown out from the force of the blast.
A police spokesperson confirmed: "We are dealing with a serious situation. We have one person who is currently contained by our officers. The public's safety is our absolute priority."
Intense Police Negotiations Underway
Sources indicate that police negotiators were attempting to make contact with the individual believed to be barricaded inside a property. The nature of the threat remained unclear, though authorities were treating the situation with the utmost severity.
The operation caused significant disruption, with multiple streets cordoned off and public transport routes diverted away from the area. Schools and local businesses were placed under temporary lockdown as a precautionary measure.
Heightened Security Response
The scale of the police response underscored the potential seriousness of the threat. Norway's PST security service was reportedly involved in coordinating the operation, suggesting possible terror links were being investigated.
This incident comes at a time of heightened security awareness across Europe. Norwegian authorities have maintained a high state of alert since previous terror attacks on the country.
As the standoff continued into the evening, officials promised to provide further updates as the situation developed, urging citizens to avoid speculation and rely on official police channels for information.
