Police in Marbella came under gunfire on Friday while pursuing a criminal gang through the woods.
The dramatic scenes unfolded shortly before 9am near the Ricmar residential area.
Witnesses called emergency services after hearing several gunshots and becoming alarmed.
Others claimed they heard a man shouting ‘police’, in what they believed to be a cry for help. However, it may have actually been a warning to fellow gang members.
It comes after sources told Spanish media that the alleged gangsters began firing upon learning they were being chased by the Policia Nacional.
According to the Provincial Police Headquarters, the shots were fired ‘as officers carried out an active investigation’.
They said officers were met with armed resistance when the suspects became aware of their presence.
Despite the exchange, there were no casualties among officers or members of the public.
Footage shared online showed several Policia Nacional vans parked in the woods, while armed officers scouted the area.
Police have declined to provide further details, stressing that the operation forms part of an ongoing investigation that remains under judicial secrecy.
As a result, no information has been released about arrests, the identity of those involved or the nature of the alleged criminal activity.
The Spanish Eye has contacted the Policia Nacional for comment.
It comes after armed police were filmed pointing their weapons at a suspect in Marbella on Wednesday.
The footage, shared by @marbellasequeja, showed multiple men standing against a wall in San Pedro de Alcantara while being searched.
Another part of the clip showed armed officers in plain clothes pointing their guns towards the driver of a car.
The dramatic incident is believed to have unfolded on Calle Marques de Estella, however the Policia Nacional did not respond to this paper’s request for comment.
Last week, a young man was shot in the leg in Nueva Andalucia, which also forms part of Marbella.
The shooting was the second to rock the Costa del Sol town within 24 hours, after a suspected traffic dispute in Marbella centre saw three bullets fired, with two hitting a parked car and bus shelter.
