27th Anniversary of the Battle of Pofalići Marked

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - By laying flowers at the memorial, the 27th anniversary of the "Battle of Pofalići" was marked today, which on May 16 thwarted the attempt by Serbian military and police forces to cut the city in two.

Flowers were laid by member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željko Komšić, representatives of the KS Government, the Municipality of Novo Sarajevo, as well as representatives of veterans' associations, family members, and friends.

The "Battle of Pofalići", codenamed "Grom" (Thunder), took place on May 16, 1992, in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was under siege at the time.

In the early morning of May 16, 1992, an hour earlier than the aggressor expected, the defenders of Sarajevo prevented the cutting of Sarajevo. The defenders of Sarajevo managed to break through to the famous Blue Line and stopped around 11 AM due to strong resistance. After several hours of uncertainty, the fighters from Pofalići and Velešići consolidated and destroyed a strong machine-gun nest at Cvijetića pekari. In the final phase of the Battle of Pofalići, 11 fighters who came to assist, commanded by Samir Pezo, played a significant role. In the early evening hours, the company of Alija Prazine managed to break the blockade.

Serbian soldiers retreated via Orlić and Žuč towards Vogošća and Rajlovac, and some of them removed their uniforms and managed to escape to Vraca via Dolac Malta. During the night, most of the participants of the Battle of Pofalići returned home, so the liberated positions were guarded by a small number of fighters from Pofalići.

The defenders of Sarajevo Edin Krako, Miralem Miradžija, and Muris Đelkić died in that battle.