Armed Police, Eagle helicopter descend on New Windsor Street

An armed police operation is underway in Auckland’s New Windsor.

The Armed Criminal Squad (AOS) and Eagle helicopter are conducting the previously planned operation on Maioro St, near an off ramp of State Highway 20.

A witness told the Herald that they passed a swarm of officers who had blocked a “red Dodge” in the middle of the road.

Viveck Pundir said the car was surrounded by police cars on all sides as it waited at traffic lights.

An armed officer told the driver, a man, to get out and lie on the ground.

Pundir said there appeared to be six normal police cars, two undercover cars, a pickup truck and a car with the AOS.

“We were surprised when that happened,” he told the Herald.

“We were nervous, we have a family with young guys.”

Pundir said it is the first time he has seen an operation like that in his area.

It comes hours after a man was shot in Avondale overnight.

Emergency services were called at an address on Blockhouse Bay Rd just before 2.30am today.

“A man was reported to have suffered gunshot wounds,” a police spokeswoman said.

He was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

“The road is closed while an examination of the scene is completed and motorists are asked to avoid the area.”

Police said investigations are ongoing.

More to come.