Sydney Dec 31 (NationPress) A police officer and police dog in Sydney were targeted by gunfire during a pursuit that triggered a substantial police operation in the city’s western region early on Tuesday morning.

Authorities in New South Wales (NSW) reported that around 1:30 a.m. local time, officers responded to alerts about two armed men attempting to break into a property in Endeavour Park, located approximately 30 km west of central Sydney, according to Xinhua news agency.

Upon reaching the scene, officers learned that the suspects had fled in a vehicle. The car was later spotted in a nearby suburb, prompting a police pursuit that was called off due to safety concerns.

Shortly thereafter, the vehicle was seen again, and a second chase was initiated.

During this pursuit, the passenger leaned out of the window and fired multiple rounds at a police vehicle, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell informed reporters.

Two bullets struck the police vehicle, but fortunately, neither the officer nor the police dog sustained any injuries.

Thurtell remarked, “One of those shots could have easily penetrated the windscreen of the vehicle and harmed the dog squad officer.”

Police deployed road spikes, and soon after, the vehicle veered off the road and crashed.

The driver, a 20-year-old man, was apprehended, while the passenger managed to escape.

A significant police operation commenced, with heavily armed tactical units dispatched to search the vicinity. However, this operation was called off by 10 a.m. after no trace of the suspect was found.

Authorities revealed that three firearms were discovered inside the vehicle.

Thurtell noted that the resident of the property in Endeavour Park is believed to have ties to organized crime, indicating that the attempted break-in may have been a planned gangland attack.

He assured the public that there is no broader threat to community safety.

A crime scene has been established at the property.