The 502nd Knightly Mountain Brigade (Bosnian: 502. viteà ¡ka brdska brigada) was a military brigade during the Bosnian War which operated in the Bihaàpocket and was part of the 5th Corps. It was formed on the July 19, 1992, as the Second BihaàMuslim-Croat Infantry Brigade in the settlement à ½egar in BihaÃÂ. It was named "Muslim-Croat" because there was 1 battalion which was filled with soldiers of the Croat nationality. The brigade was first awarded with title Famous (Slavna) on the 15 April 1993 and later on the 29 June 1995 with title Knightly (Viteà ¡ka). The first commander of the brigade was Atif DudakoviÃÂ, who later became the commander of the 5th Corps. While Hamdija Abdiàwas the commander at the end of the war.
The 502nd Brigade made a significat contribution to the defense of the BihaàPocket. It especially stood out in the battles at Grabeà ¾, Pljeà ¡evica and in the liberation operations of Bosnian Krajina. Its soldiers, despite their often poor equipment, showed excellent combat readiness and devotion to the goal of a free and complete Bosnia and Herzegovina. The fighters of this brigade were easily recognized by their affiliation with the âÂÂTigroviâ military unit, which was formed in October 1992 under the command of Hamdija AbdiÃÂ. The most intense battles of the brigade were during 1992-1993, the battles were fought on the Grabeà ¾ plateau, village Orljani and Lohovska Brda. In Lohovska Brda, the fighters of that brigade captured the first cannons of the war. The brigade especially stood out in reconnaissance, sabotage operations, fast movement and maneuver. The most important achievement of the brigade was the "Operation Tiger (1994)" which was a big success for the whole brigade and the Bosnian Army because it led to the abolition of the Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia. This success earned the brigade the nickname "Tigrovi". The name of the brigade was changed on the 1.4.1993 from Second BihaàMuslim-Croat Infantry Brigade to 502nd Mountain Brigade, Vlado à  antiàas the Deputy Commander detached the Croatian battalion on the 11.11.1992 and formed the 101. bojna HVO Bihaàbrigade.
On 25 October the 502nd Brigade together with other brigades of the 5th Corps captured the Grabeà ¾ barrack and much of the long-contested Grabeà ¾ plateau east of BihaÃÂ. On the second day of the offensive the 502nd Brigade together with the 501st Brigade launched a attack and liberated over a hundred square kilometers of territory while sending their elite "Tajfun" and "Tiger" Assault/Reconsabotage Battalions plunging into the VRS 2nd Krajina Corps rear.
On the day of the formation the brigade had: 83 officers, 120 non-commissioned officers, 1136 soldiers and consisted of 3 infrantry battalions which were:
After the reorganisation, brigade consisted of 4 battalions and 1 Reconnaissance-Sabotage Company Tigers. Brigade also included the logistics, military police, fire support battalion and main command. Croat battalion left the brigade shortly after formation in 1992, forming what is known as 101st Bojna (battalion sized). Forming the autonomous HVO forces in BihaÃÂ pocket. Some of the members refused to leave the 502nd Brigade, mainly the Croats that were neighbours of Bosniak members.
The primary area of responsibility of the brigade extended from Trà ¾aÃÂka Raà ¡tela to Dobrenica and from RibiÃÂi to PritoÃÂki Grabeà ¾. Since the formation of the Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia the area of responsibility toward those forces was south of PeÃÂigrad. Brigade mostly operated around BihaÃÂ.
On the day of the formation of the brigade, it was structured like this:
Throughout the war other than Atif DudakoviÃÂ, the command of the brigade was held by Aleksandar Mrenica, Sead ToromanoviÃÂ, Ekrem KarabegoviÃÂ and Hamdija AbdiÃÂ "Tigar" who remained in that position until the war ended.
The 502nd Brigade had 317 dead, 1694 wounded and 309 missing / captured fighters and elders from 1992 to 1995. Brigade earned both of the decorative titles. First the title Slavna (Famous/Celebrated) and later the Viteà ¡ka (Knightly) title. Between the population brigade earned a famous nickname "Legendarna druga" (Legendary second). Commander of the Odred TO Vrsta what later became the 2nd Mountainous battalion, Major Adil Beà ¡iàearned the highest award Order of Hero of the Liberation war posthumously. Commanders Salih Dizdariàand Sidik Smlatiàearned the Order of Golden Crest with Swords, both posthumously. Mirsad Litriàearned a Medal for bravery. Twenty soldiers are "Zlatni Ljiljani" â recipients of the Order of the Golden Lily.