Who was behind the bomb attacks in Zagreb on August 19, 1991?

Behind the attacks on the Jewish Community and Mirogoj was the JNA counterintelligence service (KOS), as part of operations "Labrador" and "Opera."

What was the goal of Operations Labrador and Opera?

The goal was to prevent international recognition of Croatia by portraying it to the world as a pro-fascist and anti-Semitic state.

Which prominent Croats did they plan to kidnap or assassinate?

According to reports, they planned to kidnap General Martin Špegelj and assassinate General Imra Agotić.

Who led Operation Labrador?

The operation was led by Colonel Slobodan Rakočević from his office in Zemun, while in Zagreb, operational control was held by Colonel Ivan Sabolović and Major Čedo Knežević.

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KOS Secret Operations: Planned Kidnapping of Špegelj and Assassination of Agotić

A.O. · Prije 4h | 2 min

On this day in 1991, explosions rocked Zagreb at the Jewish Community and Mirogoj, with the JNA counterintelligence service behind the attacks aiming to discredit Croatia before the world.

Summary

On this day in 1991, two explosions hit Zagreb: at the Jewish Community and the Jewish graves at Mirogoj.
Behind the attacks was KOS's Operation "Labrador" aimed at discrediting Croatia as a pro-fascist state.
The operation was led by Colonel Slobodan Rakočević, and kidnappings and assassinations of figures like Generals Špegelj and Agotić were planned.

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In the early morning hours of August 19, 1991, at around 5 a.m., two powerful explosions echoed through Zagreb, waking all residents. The targets were the premises of the Jewish Community in Palmotićeva Street, as well as the Jewish cemeteries at Mirogoj, which suffered significant damage.

Although there were no injuries and the material damage was not irreparable, these attacks were quickly labeled as terrorism and brought Croatia a bad reputation. It was soon discovered that behind them were actions of the JNA counterintelligence service (KOS), carried out in the initial phase of the Homeland War under the code names "Labrador" and "Opera."

They Wanted to Portray Croatia as a Pro-Fascist State

These special operations were designed as a tool in "underground" warfare against Croatia, aiming to evoke memories of the anti-Semitic, racist, and extremely repressive NDH towards national and ideological minorities. Their purpose was to prevent international recognition of Croatian independence.

Operation Labrador was to consist of several terrorist attacks that would complement the activities of Operation Opera, a propaganda campaign aimed at disinforming the media and the public. The goal was to present Croatia, which planned to declare independence from SFR Yugoslavia, to the world as a pro-fascist state that had not moved away from the mindset of the NDH.

They Planned Assassinations and Kidnappings of Prominent Croats

Operation Labrador was led by Colonel Slobodan Rakočević, head of KOS in the Yugoslav Air Force (Chief of the Security Department in the Air Force and Air Defense), operating from an office in Zemun. In Zagreb, operational control of Labrador was held by Colonel Ivan Sabolović along with Major Čedo Knežević, while Colonel Radenko Radojčić was responsible for creating stockpiles of explosives in Zagreb and its surroundings and setting up explosive devices.

Explosive devices and other weapons were placed at several locations. In addition to carrying out terrorist actions across Croatia, Labrador members had the task of kidnapping and liquidating prominent public and political figures. According to available information, there were plans to kidnap General Martin Špegelj and to kill General Imra Agotić.