A swift, fully armed paramilitary operation in broad daylight on one of Salento's busiest roads. A Battistolli (BTV) armored van was targeted by a commando unit along State Road 613, the highway connecting Brindisi to Lecce, near Tuturano.
The assault on the highway
The gang allegedly carried out a plan to block traffic and force the armored vehicle to stop: vehicles were parked sideways and one vehicle was set on fire to block the roadway.
According to reconstructions, the scene transformed the 613 into a trap in a matter of minutes, with motorists stopped and unable to continue.
The security company's armored van was targeted; the attack was carried out in a manner that suggests the involvement of a large, organized group. Investigators are reconstructing the exact sequence and roles, also to clarify how the commando chose the location and timing of the attack.
Explosion and failed robbery
After the most hectic phase of the attack, the criminals reportedly managed to blow up the armored van. Despite the violence of the attack, the heist was unsuccessful: the robbery, according to reports, was not completed.
Investigators remain crucial in determining what derailed the plan: the intervention of patrols, the resistance of the operators, or a logistical setback. The final picture will depend on technical investigations and on-scene checks.
The firefight with the Carabinieri
After the attack, a chase ensued. It was during this phase that the firefight reportedly occurred: the robbers and the intervening Carabinieri engaged in a conflict during their escape, further increasing the level of danger for those in transit or stuck in traffic.
The episode has reignited the alarm about a type of crime capable of striking on the streets with commando weapons and tactics, relying on speed, intimidation, and chaos.
Hunt for fugitives and first arrests
The search continued over the next few hours, culminating in a first investigative breakthrough: two suspects were arrested and taken to the police station for questioning. According to reports, the two—identified as being from the province of Foggia—were intercepted in the Campo Panareo area, along the 7 Ter state road.
Their whereabouts are being examined, as are any possible connections to other members of the group. Investigators are aiming to reconstruct the escape route and verify the vehicles and contacts used in the hours before and after the robbery.
The political thrust: "Salento needs more control."
Democratic Party MP Claudio Stefanazzi intervened in the case, citing a public order and territorial control problem in Salento. He implicated Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, claiming he had submitted eleven unanswered questions on security and announcing an appeal to the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Lorenzo Fontana.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
The incident described is deeply disturbing and raises concerns about the level of security in Salento. It's important that the authorities intervene to prevent similar acts of violence in the future, as the population deserves to feel safe.