A day that must never be forgotten: On 2 May, the battle for Sarajevo and the independent state of BiH was fought

That 2 May 1992 is a day that will forever remain in the memory of many Sarajevans. It was the first major battle for Sarajevo and for BiH. On that day, special units of the then JNA and paramilitary formations of the SDS attempted to seize the building of the Presidency of BiH, while the fiercest fighting took place 150 metres away, at Skenderija, writes the Patria news agency.

Around 1 p.m., JNA tanks moved towards the buildings of the Presidency and the City Assembly of Sarajevo. They were stopped thanks to the brave defenders of Sarajevo. The image of a tram on fire at Skenderija went around the world. That day, the building of the Main Post Office in Sarajevo was also set on fire and burned down. The units of the former JNA and paramilitary formations of the SDS attacked fiercely, with the aim of entering the Presidency building, which was a symbol of the independent and internationally recognised state of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

While the fighting was taking place in the city, the first President of the Presidency of the Republic of BiH, Alija Izetbegović, was captured at Sarajevo Airport. Upon returning from negotiations in Lisbon, he was captured at the airport by members of the former JNA and taken to the barracks in Lukavica.

Links were established with the then TV Sarajevo. In a live broadcast, the Bosnian-Herzegovinian and world public learned that the Presidency of BiH had been attacked and that the capital was being destroyed by all artillery weapons. Everyone then learned that the president of the state had been captured.

The public listened to a dramatic dialogue between the captured Izetbegović and a member of the state Presidency, Ejup Ganić: "Alija, listen to one thing... Why don't you come to the Presidency?" Alija Izetbegović: "Because they won't let me come!"

President Izetbegović was exchanged for the commander of the 2nd Military District of the JNA, Milutin Kukanjac.

On that 2 May 1992, the battle was fought not only for Sarajevo, but for the whole of BiH. Eight days later, on 10 May, the former JNA declaratively withdrew from Bosnia and Herzegovina, although it essentially remained involved in the war in BiH until its end.