Police officer killed, gendarmes injured in Al Hoceima operation

On September 7, 2026, judicial police in Al Hoceima conducted an operation to arrest a nationally wanted man suspected of trafficking hard drugs, forming a criminal gang, organizing illegal migration, and attempted murder.
During the arrest, the suspect opened fire with a hunting rifle, killing a police officer and injuring two gendarmes and a civilian.
Security forces responded with their service weapons in self-defense, wounding the suspect in the leg, who was taken to hospital under guard.
Others, believed to be from the same network, tried to intervene with two cars and fire shots to obstruct the operation, but police arrested the main suspect and two others who later went to a clinic.
The weapon and a drone were seized.
The prosecutor's office denied some rumors on social media and said the investigation continues.