A HERO WHO KNEW NO FEAR: Vaske Jaguar led 12 soldiers against 300 Albanians and defeated them without a single loss!

In the history of warfare, there are few examples of such bravery as that shown by Sergeant Ivan Vasojević, better known in the army by the codename Jaguar. When the brutal aggression on the Košare border post began on April 9, 1999, only twelve of them stood against hundreds of heavily armed terrorists in black uniforms. And one man who refused to retreat.

Around noon, at border marker C 4/6 (about 400 meters from the border post), which was defended by Sergeant Ivan Vasojević (from Sjenica) with 12 soldiers, around 300 fighters of a special KLA unit (all in black uniforms) launched an attack across an open field.

He was ordered to withdraw about a hundred meters back and take a more dispersed formation. He carried out the order. Then he received instructions that in case of a more serious enemy breakthrough, he should take up a reserve position, not open fire unless absolutely necessary, and patiently wait for reinforcements that had already been sent. He reported that he understood the order.

A lull followed. Vasojević reported on the enemy’s numbers and requested artillery support in case they advanced deeper into our territory. He was ordered not to take any action beyond the given measures. He reported that he understood.

About ten minutes later, his voice was suddenly heard over the radio. He was preparing the soldiers under his command. He was giving them final instructions for a real assault! At first, it was thought that he was joking and trying to mislead enemy forces, especially the experts who were monitoring our radio communications. However, it was soon realized that he had accidentally jammed the microphone handset into his belt, unintentionally allowing everyone with radio devices – hundreds of participants, along with an additional 5–10 fighters – to listen live to the counterattack of 12 soldiers against at least 300 Albanian and other special forces.

A shout of “Hooray!” was heard like in the wildest movies, and an unprecedented battle began! A battle that was broadcast live for several minutes, in which 12 of them charged at 300. Literally, chest to chest, eye to eye! After about 15 minutes, there was silence.

Then complete quiet.

And then Vasojević reported (from memory): “…we are all alive, I have one wounded, the enemy neutralized, those who survived have retreated deep across the border…”

Two days later, Sergeant Ivan Vasojević was killed in the area of Maja Glava, on Easter, while saving a wounded soldier. The soldier survived.