Shaban Polluzha


Shaban Mustafë Kastrati, known as Shaban Polluzha, was a Kosovo Albanian military leader active in Drenica during World War II. He was a collaborationist, serving in the Royal Albanian gendarmerie and as a commander of the Vulnetari militia. He was briefly a member of the Balli Kombëtar. He was killed by the Yugoslav Partisans.

Early life

Shaban was born in Poluža, in the Drenica region. During World War I he fought with the Entente against Bulgaria and Austria-Hungary. In 1921 he was elected a deputy of Drenica.

World War II

In 1941 Shaban Polluzha was interned by the Italians.
Thousands of Vulnetari together with gendarmerie commanded by Bislim Bajgora and Shaban Polluzha attacked Ibarski Kolašin on 30 September 1941, killing 150 Serb civilians. This region was attacked by Vulnetari from Drenica and Methohija Podgor, and their brutal attacks on the villages of Ibarski Kolašin lasted until 10 October 1941. This attack on Ibarski Kolašin was so violent that the Germans referred to it as the "bloody wave".
Polluzha later joined the Yugoslav Partisans because of promises of self-determination in Kosovo, and fought to expel the Germans, believing Kosovo would reunite with Albania afterwards. Once realizing he had been deceived, he refused orders to send his men to Syrmia to drive out the retreating Germans, instead, staying in Drenica. The Yugoslav Partisans then attacked him encountering strong resistance for two to three months. He was eventually killed during battle in the village of Trstenik in 1945.

Legacy

In 2012 he was posthumously awarded as "Hero of Kosovo" by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi.