On the evening of August 12, 2026, the Pelister National Park ranger service, led by Director Ivanco Tosevski, in close coordination with the Bitola Sector of Internal Affairs (SVR Bitola), executed a successful night operation to locate and intercept armed individuals deep within the protected territory of the park.
Operation Details and Tactical Execution
Following intelligence gathered from field sources, the operation was launched shortly after 19:00 with two combined patrols consisting of park rangers and police officers:
- Tactical Approach: Operating independently in darkness over rugged terrain above 2,000 meters altitude, the teams approached the target area from two directions—one from Velusina village and the other from the Info Centre—to prevent any escape.
- Interception: After more than three hours of night trekking, the armed individuals were located at around 23:30 near the Golema Griva area, well within the park’s strict protection zone.
- Detention: Bitola police officers immediately took control of the situation upon location. The operation was successfully concluded in the early morning hours (around 04:00 on August 13, 2026) with the individuals being escorted to the police station.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Enforcement
This operation highlighted the ongoing challenges in patrolling remote, high-altitude regions. The area represents the largest strict protection zone within Pelister National Park, where illegal activities are occasionally attempted.
Regular monitoring in this sector has been hindered by years of neglected forest roads. Pelister National Park is actively prioritizing the restoration of these critical road networks, which are vital for:
- Rapid wildfire response and disaster prevention;
- Routine patrol coverage and environmental enforcement by park rangers.
Pelister National Park extends its gratitude to the leadership and officers of SVR Bitola for their high level of professionalism and continued partnership in protecting the park’s natural heritage.
