NOVSKA STARTS MARKING 8TH ANNIVERSARY OF "FLASH" OPERATION

NOVSKA, April 30 (Hina) - The town of Novska on Wednesday started marking the eighth anniversary of the "Flash" liberation operation with a special session of the town assembly attended by representatives of the Croatian army and police. #L# On May 1 eight years ago, Croatian military and police forces freed the eastern part of Novska and the municipality of Jasenovac after 1,285 days of Serb occupation. In just a day and a half, the Croatian troops liberated an area of around 500 square kilometres and took control of the Zagreb-Lipovac highway. About 7,200 soldiers and police officers took part in the action. Forty-two were killed and 162 wounded. The 18th Serb Krajina Corps was defeated and the leader of rebel forces in central Croatia, Mile Martic, ordered the shelling of Zagreb, Sisak and Karlovac on May 2 and 3 as an act of revenge. (hina) lml sb