Special Anti-Terrorist Unit (Republika Srpska) Explained

Agencyname:Special Anti-Terrorist Unit
Abbreviation:SAJ (САЈ)
Patch:File:SAJ_RS_logo.png
Patchcaption:Patch of the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit
Motto:Ми немамо право на грешку!
Mottotranslated:"We are not entitled to make a mistake!"
Country:Republika Srpska
Governingbody:Ministry of Interior (Republika Srpska)
Headquarters:Training Center of the Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska, Zalužani
Chief1position:Commander
Chief1name:Goran Balaban
Award1:Petar Mrkonjić Medal

The Special Anti-Terrorist Unit of Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska (Serbian: Specijalna antiteroristička jedinica Ministarstva unutrašnjih poslova Republike Srpske|italics=yes; SAJ, Serbian: Специјална антитерористичка јединица Министарства унутрашњих послова Републике Српске; САЈ) is a special police and security force unit of the Police of Republika Srpska, one of two autonomous entities that comprise Bosnia and Herzegovina.

History

Development of unit it is possible to split into three stages: first stage (1992–1995), second stage (1995–2001) and third stage (2001–today).
Special Anti-Terrorist Unit of Ministry of Republika Srpska was founded on April 4, 1992 as Special Police Brigade (Специјална бригада полиције). During the War in Bosnia and Herzegovina it was a unit that fought in many battles. In that time, brigades command was in Janja near Bijeljina and unit was divided on nine battalion-sized detachments :

Every detachment was capable to be independent on battle field because of its organisation. Detachment had three special infantry platoons, armored-mechanized platoon, mortar, logistic and communication platoon.The brigade numbered around 1,400 fighters, of whom 144 were killed and about 400 wounded.Second development stage is considered for peace time when command was in Janja and when brigade was renamed into Specialized Police Service (Служба специјализоване полиције). Two detachments were disbanded (Prijedor and Ilidža) and Trebinje and Foča detachments were integrated into Tjentište base. Later all detachments except Janja and Banja Luka were disbanded and in Banja Luka was formed Anti-Terrorist Team. Third stage is stage in whom units command was dislocated in Rakovačke Bare in Banja Luka. Specialized Police Service was organized on three teams: Anti-Terrorist, Specialized and Mechanized. On 2004 service changed name into Special Police Unit (Специјална јединица полиције or СЈП) and next year base was moved in central base "Sarica" in Trn near Banja Luka. In 2016, the unit assumed its current name and its headquarters were moved to Zalužani.

Commandeer name Time of commandment
Milenko Karišik 1992–1993
Goran Sarić 1993–1997
Dušan Jević 1997–1999
1999–2004
Ranko Vuković 2004–2006
Predrag Krajnović 2006–2015
Dragan Ribić 2015–2018
Goran Balaban 2018–

Unit today

Today, the SAU is the most elite unit of Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska and cooperates with other special units in region and Europe, like the Serbian SAJ, PTJ and Gendarmery and Slovene SEP, French GIGN German GSG 9, Italian GIS.
Main duties of unit are:

Organization

The Unit has its own command that is inferior to the Director of Police and superior to seven teams: "A" Team (responsible for most difficult tasks), "B" Team, "C" Team, "D" Team, Special Preparation and Logistic Support Team (Тим за специјалну и логистичку подршку), Specialized Team (Специјализовани тим) and Operative Support Team (Тим за оперативну подршку).[1] [2]

Equipment

Armament

NameOriginTypeNotes
CZ99[3] Yugoslavia/SerbiaSemi-automatic pistolused only for training
Glock-17AustriaSemi-automatic pistolmain unit armament
Glock-19AustriaSemi-automatic pistol
CZ 85CzechoslovakiaSemi-automatic pistol
CZ Scorpion Evo 3CzechoslovakiaSubmachine gun
HK MP5GermanySubmachine gunUsed A5 and SD-3 models
Zastava M-84A "Škorpion"YugoslaviaSubmachine gun
Brügger & Thomet APC9SwitzerlandSubmachine gun
Zastava M-70YugoslaviaAssault rifleUsed model AB1 and AB2
Zastava M21Serbia and MontenegroAssault rifleUsed model SBS
FN SCAR[4] BelgiumAssault rifle
Zastava M76YugoslaviaSniper rifle
Zastava M91Serbia and MontenegroSniper rifle
Steyr Tactical EliteAustriaSniper rifle
Steyr SSG 04AustriaSniper rifleUsed A1 model
M93 "Crna strela"YugoslaviaSniper rifle
Zastava M84YugoslaviaGeneral-purpose machine gun

Vehicles

NameOriginTypeNotes
VW Golf IVGermanyC
Mercedes-Benz VitoGermanyVan
Despot[5] Republika Srpska, Bosnia and HerzegovinaArmoured personnel carrier
BOVYugoslavia/SerbiaArmoured personnel carrier
SA 341FranceUtility helicopter/Armed helicopter
Ansat[6] RussiaUtility helicopter

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Organization of MoI . Ministry of Interior .
  2. Web site: About SAU . specijalne-jedinice.com .
  3. Web site: Specijalna antiteroristička jedinica Ministarstva unutrašnjih poslova Republike Srpske . specijalne-jedinice.com .
  4. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SAJ_vje%C5%BEba_Dan_Policije_2019.jpg
  5. Web site: Dva "Despota" stigla u MUP RS. Alternativna televizija. 2019-08-02. sr.
  6. Web site: 2021-10-19. MUP Republike Srpske predstavio helikoptere Ansat. 2021-10-20. Tango Six. sr-RS.