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

Cold morning, sunshine expected during the day

Wednesday's minimum temperatures will be 1–6°C , with Sofia at 1°C. Some lowland areas may have reduced visibility in the morning. It will be mostly sunny during the day, with a light to moderate south-westerly wind. Maximum temperatures will reach..

published on 10/28/25 7:05 PM

Switzerland supports Bulgaria's migration policies with over 21 million Swiss Francs

Switzerland is providing financial assistance worth 21,350,000 Swiss Francs to support Bulgaria's migration policies. "As EU's external border we have the responsibility to prevent the entry of persons who may pose a security threat, and on the other..

published on 10/28/25 6:50 PM

Draft Budget Signals Lower Minimum Wage but Higher Pension Contributions

Bulgaria’s draft social security budget indicates that the minimum wage from 1 January 2026 will be lower than the level set out in the Labour Code , BNR “Horizont” reports. According to sources, the minimum wage will be €605 rather than €620 (BGN..

published on 10/28/25 4:48 PM