President Milanović Meets with Delegation of “Bak” Istria Special Police Unit Association on the 30th Anniversary of its Formation

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović met in his Office with a delegation of the “Bak” Special Police Unit Association of the Istrian Police Department, which included the President of the Association Mladen Blašković, the Head of the Istrian Police Department and Vice President of the Association Božo Kirin, wartime commanders Skender Hasimi and Slavko Jereb, and Association members Dragan Brunjak, Silvio Buić, Zdravko Karak and Dušanko Babić.

The special police unit was formed on this day 30 years ago. It was the first organized combat unit from Istria to participate in the defense of Croatia. The first combat mission of the “Bak” Special Police Unit was the defense of the town of Petrinja in 1991, after which it participated in practically all major military and police operations: Maslenica, Medak Pocket, Flash and Storm. Over 350 members of the unit fought in the war.

After the end of the Homeland War, members of the “Bak” Special Police Unit participated in the demining of vast stretches of Croatia – from Vukovar to Dubrovnik. Its members are well-educated and many of them are therefore still actively involved in police work and hold leading positions, it was said at the meeting.

Special Adviser to the President of the Republic for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković attended the meeting alongside President Milanović.

PHOTO : Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan