Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

21 years after the tragic attack

Honouring the Bulgarian heroes of Karbala

Photo: BTA

It is 21 years since the truck bomb attack on the "India" base in Karbala, which killed 5 soldiers from the first Bulgarian contingent in Iraq. 

In Karlovo, members of the 61st Mechanised Brigade paid their respects by laying wreaths and flowers at the monument to those who died in the fight against global terrorism.

In Ruse, relatives, friends and comrades-in-arms paid their respects at the grave of officer cadet Anton Petrov, who died at the age of 26.

The "India" commemorative sports event in memory of the fallen brought together military personnel and young people in Smolyan. For the first time, American soldiers took part. Among those attending the memorial event was Todor Stankov, the sniper from the Bulgarian contingent at the time, who eliminated the driver of the truck bomb.

We live with the memories, it is important for us to keep alive the memory of the dead, Todor Stankov told BTA.

On 27 December 2003, at 11:45 a.m., the base was attacked by a truck bomb. The suicide bomber's hands were tied to the steering wheel so that the machine could not stop even after the military opened fire. A powerful explosion followed seconds later. The attack claimed the lives of Major Georgi Kachorin, First Lieutenant Nikolay Saraev, Officer Candidate Anton Petrov, Officer Candidate Ivan Indjov and Officer Candidate Svilen Kirov.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Grozdan Karadjov

Bulgaria requests assistance from EU and NATO diplomats for Corridor No 8

To date, Corridor No. 8 depends on the willingness and political will of North Macedonia. The agreement for the management of the joint facility—the cross-border railway tunnel—has been sent to Skopje, but has been awaiting their approval for three..

published on 4/15/25 9:58 AM
Kaloyan Geshev

Kaloyan Geshev becomes world champion in mental calculation for the 4th time

Eighth-grader Kaloyan Geshev from the 125th Secondary School Boyan Penev in Sofia won his 4th world title in mental calculation thanks to his speed, accuracy and incredible concentration. The 2025 Mental Calculations World Championships Final..

published on 4/15/25 8:52 AM
Христо Стоичков

Bulgarian football icon Stoichkov heads to Moldova for Youth Sports Initiative

Bulgarian football legend Hristo Stoichkov will pay his first official visit to Moldova from 15 to 17 April, reports BTA.  He arrives as an ambassador for FIFA's Football for Schools programme , which aims to develop youth sport. His programme..

published on 4/15/25 7:35 AM