35th anniversary Bloody Easter and death of Josip Jović marked

35 years have passed since the Plitvice operation, known as Bloody Easter. Croatian police officers then launched an operation against Serbian rebels who blocked the road with logs and ambushed members of the special police. Although the operation was successful, and Plitvice was placed under the supervision of the Croatian police, the first defender in the Homeland War - Josip Jović - was killed, and nine police officers were wounded. 

On this day 35 years ago, 22-year-old Josip Jović was killed, and nine police officers were wounded in a bus that was subject to ambush. The operation was commanded by the then commander of the Tigers Special Forces unit of the Interior Ministry from Rakitje, General Josip Lucić.

“Pakrac, Plitvice and Borovo Selo; we were facing terrorist activities and prepared situations where the constitutional order and laws of the Republic of Croatia, and the police were attacked. Each of those events was very clearly prepared with an aim to destroy the Croatian Police and the young Croatian forces,” said General Lucić.

Josip Jović was killed near the post office in Plitvice, and with him was Petar Bajan, also a Tiger from Rakitje.

“He crossed the street, there was fog, a shot was heard and over the Motorola it was said that Josip Jović was hit. There was a quick intervention, one transporter quickly arrived with doctor Husar who quickly provided first aid, but unfortunately he couldn't be saved and he died there,” said Bajan.

Traditionally, friends, representatives of local and state authorities, and family paid tribute to Josip Jović at Plitvice.

“Today's remembrance is not only related to one action, but to the readiness of all Croatian defenders to stand opposed to the enemy and defend the country,” said Interior Minister Davor Božinović.

“Today we are building Croatia in harmony with their aspirations, in accordance with the ideals they lived for, and for which they died,” said Minister of Croatian Veterans Affairs Tomo Medved.

Minister Božinović also presented new members of the Lučko Anti-Terrorist Unit with the emblems of the Special Police.

Source: HRT