Commemorating the Hero of the Republic of Kosovo, Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku

Commemorating the Hero of the Republic of Kosovo, Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku

September 25, 2025

Prishtina, 24th of September 2025

Under the patronage of the Acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Xhelal Sveçla and the General Director of Kosovo Police, Colonel Gazmend Hoxha, solemn activities were held today to mark the second anniversary of the heroic fall of Hero Afrim Bunjaku.

At 10:00, state leaders, including the Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Albin Kurti, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Dimal Basha, the Acting Minister Xhelal Sveçla, the General Director of Kosovo Police, Colonel Gazmend Hoxha, representatives of local institutions and senior officials of the Kosovo Police, visited the hero’s family, where they expressed their condolences and commemorated his unforgettable life and sacrifice.

At 10:30, near the grave of Hero Afrim Bunjaku, homage was held with the participation of the government cabinet, the cabinet of the General Director, the family of hero Bunjaku, representatives of local and international institutions, as well as officials of the Kosovo Police.

During the homage, wreaths of flowers were laid by state leaders and officials of institutions.

At 15:00, the memorial academy was held in the Red Hall of the Youth Palace in Pristina, where state and KP leaders emphasized the importance of remembering the work and sacrifice of Hero Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku, as a symbol of dedication and bravery.

The following is the speech of the General Director of the KP, Colonel Gazmend Hoxha, held at the memorial academy.

The speech:

We have gathered today to remember an event that marked our new history with pain, but also with pride, and to give a solemn message: that Kosovo is and will remain a free state and a country of sovereignty and justice.

In the early hours of September 24, 2023, in Banjska, a criminal-terrorist group committed a serious act of terrorist attack against the constitutional order of Kosovo. This was the most serious security challenge since the declaration of independence.

Kosovo police officers, who had no guarantee of return, but had the courage to go forward, immediately confronted this group of terrorists, where in a bloody confrontation, Sergeant Afrim BUNJAKU fell in the line of duty, while other police officers were injured and sacrificed their lives for the safety of citizens and for the protection of the constitutional order and sovereignty of the country.

Today we remember, with deepest respect, Sergeant Afrim BUNJAKU, who fell martyr in Banjska while defending the country. At the same time, we remember and bow down to all the martyrs of the Kosovo Police, Enver ZYMBERI and other martyrs, who with their blood and lives have made the Kosovo Police uniform a symbol of sacrifice and loyalty to the homeland.

We bow down with deep respect to their memory and express our most sincere condolences to their families and colleagues, as well as express our deep gratitude to all the police officers who fought with determination on that dark day!

Their sacrifice is the foundation of our democracy and a guarantee for the future!

Meanwhile, the attackers armed with heavy weapons, explosives and armored vehicles, the arsenal of an entire army, were locked inside the walls of the Banjska Monastery.

The terrorist act of that morning was not only an attack on the constitutional order, but also an attempt to transform this Monastery from a place of prayer into a fortress of war, an act that seriously violated the very values of religious institutions.

The “fire card” was clear to the Kosovo police, who on that difficult day, based on moral and constitutional obligation, responded to the attack in record time, with high dedication and professionalism and fought for hours, with courage and determination to regain control, making it clear that no force, no matter how organized, can bring our state to its knees.

This group was not a group of ordinary criminals, but a structured and organized paramilitary formation, trained and directed with a political purpose: to challenge the state of Kosovo, to scare citizens indiscriminately and to violate peace in the region.

Once again, Kosovo was challenged by Serbia, but once again, Kosovo showed that it does not bow to violence. In this challenge, we were unified and we all responded with one voice: the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, central and local institutions, law enforcement and justice institutions.

Despite the heavy arsenal it faced, the Kosovo Police reacted carefully, prudently and professionally, neutralizing the attack without harming religious personnel, without endangering the lives of pilgrims, without harming local civilians and without harming the Orthodox Church of Banjska.

This is proof that even in the most difficult moments, Kosovo remains faithful to its values: it protects its borders and citizens and at the same time preserves and respects spiritual and cultural values without distinction.

The wounds of this event remained open: the family of Sergeant Afrim BUNJAKU lost their son, husband and father; Kosovo lost a devoted servant and the world saw once again the true face of Serbia, how it operates in the shadows in our country, through its dark structures.

Dear family members of the hero Afrim BUNJAKU,

Your pain that you have faced in silence is also ours!

It is part of our conscience!

Honorable guests,

The Kosovo Police is and will remain at the service of every citizen of the Republic, regardless of ethnicity, religion or belief.

We are the force of law and constitutional order, of the citizens and of the entire country. This is the source of our faith and the guarantee that Kosovo moves safely towards the future.

The terrorists, led by their leader Milan RADOIÇIQ, who publicly accepted responsibility for the attack, found refuge in Serbia, without facing the justice. This fact hurt and deepened the wound even more, showing that peace in Kosovo remains constantly threatened by those who do not accept the reality of a free and independent state.

However, in this battle against the constitutional order of Kosovo, we were not and we are not alone. We stand with Kosovo’s friendly countries, QUINT countries, the EU and NATO, which firmly condemned the terrorist act and supported our right to defend the freedom and lives of citizens, so the entire democratic world spoke clearly: the Banjska attack was unprecedented until that day!

At the forefront of this support is the United States of America, the world leader in freedom and democracy. Without their historic support, Kosovo’s path to freedom, statehood and independence would have been much more difficult.

Today and always, we are grateful for this unconditional and eternal friendship!

Banjska do të mbetet në kujtesë se liria ka çmim dhe ky çmim paguhet me sakrifica.

This teaches us that:

• Kosovo is no longer alone and is part of a free world, guided by the principles of democracy, equality and justice.

• Freedom and security are not granted forever, but must be defended every day.

• The blood shed by Kosovo police officers, who fell defending democratic values, is the foundation of our freedom and an eternal call for justice, vigilance and unity.

• Kosovo is moving steadily towards an independent, peaceful and secure future.

• The Battle of Banjska proved that battles and wars are not won by those who have more weapons, but by those who fight for a just cause and who have a heart, and these were the Kosovo Police.

From this solemn ceremony, we express our conviction that Kosovo moves forward towards democratic values, united and unwavering, thanks to its martyrs, the sacrifice of its daughters and sons, as well as the support of our strategic allies, especially the United States of America, which remain the strongest guarantee for our peace and democracy!

Sisters and brothers of the police force,

Honored guests,

The blood shed in Banjska is the oath kept for justice!

Glory to the martyr Afrim BUNJAKU!

Deepest gratitude to the Kosovo police, who every day protect the country and its citizens!

Appreciation and respect to our allies!

Long live those who defend freedom!

Thank you!