RECOM Reconciliation Network

12.04.2024.

Nushe Aliaj, Florie Tafa, Mirsade Isufi, i Vllaznim Salihaj are still missing

Bishtazhin, Municipality of Gjakova, 14/4/1999

Nushe (Dinë/Kade) Aliaj, 1930.

Florie (Tafë/Zoje) Tafa, 1973.

Mirsade (Sadik/Gjyle) Isufi, 1980.

Vllaznim (Ali/Sabrije) Salihaj,1981.

On April 14, 1999, near the bridge in the village of Bisthazhin, NATO targeted a column of civilians, who had been expelled from their villages in the Municipality of Gjakova by Serbian forces. About 70 civilians were killed. The wounded were taken to a hospital in Gjakova. After the withdrawal of Serbian forces from Kosovo, the bodies of the fallen were exhumed from a cemetery in Gjakova, one body from a cemetery in the village of Piskote, and one from a cemetery in the Dragodan area in Pristina. The remains of Nusha Aliaj, Florie Tafa, Mirsade Isufi, and Vllaznim Salihaj have still not been found. Nushe has no relatives who could provide a blood sample, and without that the identification of the remains is not possible.

At the moment of NATO attack on the column of civilians in the village of Bishtazhin, on April 14, 1999, units of the 52 arbr PVO of the Yugoslav Army were located near the bridge in that village.

This website was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the RECOM Reconciliation Network and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.