Battle of Hrvatska Kostajnica

Battle of Hrvatska Kostajnica
Part of the Croatian War of Independence
Soldiers of the 1st Guards Brigade in Kostajnica
Date 17 July  – 14 September 1991 (3 months and 4 weeks) Location Hrvatska Kostajnica, Croatia Result SAO Krajina victory
Belligerents
Yugoslavia SAO Krajina	Croatia
Commanders and leaders
Milan Martić Branko Dmitrović Dragan Vasiljković	Zvonimir Kalan  Nedjeljko Podunajec  Janko Bobetko
Units involved
Yugoslav People's Army Yugoslav Ground Forces 7th Banija Division Banija Territorial Defense Krajina Militia Kninjas	Croatian National Guard 1/1st Guards Brigade Elms of Zrinski Battalion Croatian Police Lučko Anti-Terrorist Unit
Strength
1,000–2,000	500–750
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Many killed, many surrendered

The Battle of Hrvatska Kostajnica (Croatian: Bitka za Hrvatsku Kostajnicu) was a military engagement fought between the proclaimed Croatian-Serb Serbian Autonomous Oblast of Krajina (SAO Krajina) supported by the Yugoslav People’s Army (Jugoslavenska Narodna Armija) and local Territorial Defense based in Bosanska Kostajnica, against the Croatian National Guard (ZNG) and Croatian policemen. Fought between July 17th, ending with the capture of Kostajnica on September 13th, the desired result was mainly to kill Croatian President Franjo Tuđman, whom was inspecting Croatian National Guard personnel in Hrvatska Kostajnica.

The Yugoslav People’s Army and SAO Krajina forces captured Hrvatska Kostajnica on 13th September, Croatian National Guard and Croatian Policemen attempted a breakout to Hrvatska Dubica, most of them were killed in the process. In the aftermath, the vicinity of Kostajnica had been captured and looted by SAO Krajina forces. Most of the Defenders had been sent to the Manjača concentration camp and a prison camp in Glina. Hrvatska Kostajnica would later be captured by the Croatian Army during Operation Storm.