In September 1991 Norac left the police force and moved to Gospić , where he took part in the assault against local Serbs and Yugoslav People 's Army ( JNA ) units . The town was surrounded from 3 sides . The JNA barracks , the Stanko Opsenica ( with around 70 officers and 200 soldiers , plus numerous Serbian paramilitaries ) were all trapped inside . After four days of siege , led by Norac , the JNA surrendered the barracks . In mid-September 1991 Norac was appointed commander of the 118th Brigade of the Croatian Army . One month later he took part in event known as the Gospić massacre when between 100-120 local Serbs were murdered by men under his command . Norac became the youngest colonel of the Croatian Army , and was appointed commander of the 118th Brigade of the Croatian Army
Gospić massacre
Gospić massacre
Mirko Norac