DODIK: WITH VASKRSIJA JANKOVIĆ'S PASSING, WE HAVE LOST AUTHENTIC WITNESS TO OPERATION HALYARD

BANJA LUKA, NOVEMBER 5 /SRNA/ – President Milorad Dodik sent a telegram of condolences to the family of the late Vaskrsija Janković /87/from Boljanić, one of the last surviving witnesses of Operation Halyard, during which Allied airmen were rescued from Mount Ozren during the Second World War.

"It is with deep regret that I received the news of the passing of Vaskrsija Janković, one of the last guardians of the truth about the heroism and humanity of our people in the Ozren region. Through his life, his invaluable testimonies and, in particular, his written work, Vaskrsija erected a lasting monument to the nobility and courage of the Serb people in rescuing Allied pilots during Operation Halyard," Dodik emphasized.

Dodik noted that Vaskrsija left a significant written legacy through the monograph entitled Rescue of Allied Airmen, which he co-authored with Cvijetin Jovanović from Boljanić.

"His passing represents a great loss for Boljanić, Doboj and the entire Republika Srpska, which has lost a genuine and authentic witness to history," Dodik stated.