Battle of Balvan

The Battle of Balvan was fought between Bulgarian army and police units and the Gabrovo–Sevlievo Partisan Detachment during the communist partisan movement in Bulgaria in 1941–1944. On 28 March 1944, the partisan detachment was discovered by a police unit, which attacked and routed it after a brief exchange of fire. Although the partisans attempted to withdraw towards Gorsko Kalugerovo village, they were overtaken and surrounded by large armed forces sent from Sevlievo. After successfully repelling several attacks, the partisans went on the offensive and managed to break out of the encirclement. 

The government units won the battle, but the detachment's commander, Ivan Raykov, was seriously wounded.