The soldiers have told the police that they were being pursued by a man in a car in the area around Grycksbo. When they confronted the man and showed identification, the man pointed a gun at them, according to police.
"Things are said, but what was said we must take after the investigation," says Jan Materne, the police officer in the Bergslagen region.
The soldiers wore uniform at the time.
Police have been at the home of the man suspected of unlawful threats, and have taken care of both the weapon that should have been used in the incident, and other rifles, ammunition and licenses.
- The weapons we now have in our possession are real guns, says Jan Materne.
The search for the missing elderly man continues and is expected to gain momentum at dawn. About 20 soldiers help the police.
The man, aged 70, disappeared from his home in Grycksbo during the night towards Wednesday. He suffers from dementia but is in good physical condition, police have previously said.