Special Anti-Terrorist Unit (Serbia)

The Special Anti-Terrorist Unit (, abbr. САЈ / SAJ) is an elite tactical unit of the Serbian Police.

History

The history of the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit dates back to 18 December 1978 and the establishment of the Militia Unit for Special Actions (). The first base for the Milicija unit was at the militia station in New Belgrade. Its first commander was Miloš Bujenović. In 1983, the unit moved to Belgrade Airport in Surčin.

In 1991, the unit renamed as the Anti-Terrorism Unit (''Antiteroristička jedinica''). In 1992, during the reorganization of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Militia, the Anti-Terrorism Unit was placed under the Directorate of Public Security of the reorganized ministry. That same year, command was formed in Belgrade, with established branches in Novi Sad and Priština. Zoran Simović was the head of the then Belgrade unit, Novi Sad branch-unit was led by Branko Jurčić, and Priština branch-unit by Radoslav Stalević. At that period, the unit moved to the base in Batajnica, in which it has been ever since.

In 1994, the unit was renamed as the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit, which it bears to the current day. During the Kosovo War, the unit operated on the suppression of militants of the KLA. During these operations, sixteen members of the unit died in combat.

In 2015, the Counter-Terrorist Unit (established in 2003) was merged into the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit.

Missions

Among the main missions of the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit are:
* Counter-terrorism
* Hostage recovery situations
* Assistance to other police departments fighting organized crime (arrest of high-profile criminals)
* Arrest of dangerous deranged persons
* Close protection of VIP

Structure

The Special Anti-Terrorist Unit is organized in four "teams" (''timovi''), platoon-size units, each with their own specializations.
;Team A and Team B :

The "first fist" is represented by that air assault operations, anti-hijacking, anti-irregular forces, breaking into barred objects, control and protect criminals while they are on trial, counterterrorism, hostage rescue, operating in difficult to access terrains, providing security to locations at high-risk of sabotage or being disturbed by social turmoil, serving high-risk arrest and search warrants, solve complicated hostile situations, special operations in dangerous areas, support crowd control operations during court proceedings or meetings, and VIP close protection.
;Team C :
Team C include: Dog training Group, Mine-explosive Substances and Biological-Chemical Products Group, Sniper/Counter-sniper Group, and Diving and Underwater Operations Group.
;Team D :
Team D provides the logistical support and include: the Construction and Testing of Arms and Ammunition Group, the Technical and Emergency Service Group, and the Medical Group.

Equipment

The following equipment is in operational use as of 2024:

Firearms

* Handgun:
** Glock 17
* Shotgun:
** Benelli M4
* Carbine:
** Colt M4
** SG 552 Commando
* Submachine gun:
** Heckler & Koch MP5
* Assault rifle:
** Zastava M21
* Sniper rifle:
** Sako TRG

Vehicles

* Cars:
** Mercedes-Benz G-Class
* Armored multipurpose vehicles:
** BOV M16 Miloš
* Armored personnel carriers:
** BOV M86 (2)

Commanders

Since its establishment the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit had six commanders:

* Col. Miloš Bujenović (1978–1984)
* Col. Radovan Stojičić "Badža" (1984–1991)
* Col. Miodrag Tepavčević (1991–1992)
* Col. Zoran Simović (1992–2000)
* Col. Živorad Trajković (2000–2002)
* Col. Milovan Glišović (2002–2005)
* Col. Spasoje Vulević (2005–present)

Traditions

Anniversary

The anniversary of the unit is celebrated on 18 December, in memory of the day in 1978 when the unit was established.

Patron saint

The unit's slava or its saint's feast day is Saint Michael the Archangel (''Aranđelovdan'').

Motto

Motto of the Brigade is: "One who dares - can, one who knows no fear - succeed!" (''Ko sme, taj može, ko ne zna za strah, taj ide napred!''). Author of the motto is Vojvoda Živojin Mišić, Serbian field marshal in the World War I.

In popular culture

The Special Anti-Terrorist Unit appears in the video games '' Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019 video game)'' and '' Call of Duty: Mobile''.

See also

* Police of Serbia

References

External links

;Videos
*
*
;Other

Ministry of Internal Affairs




Photos

{{Serbian Police units

SAJ
SAJ
Police tactical units
Articles containing video clips
Specialist law enforcement agencies of Serbia