Following the Serbian invasion of Nish, the Serbian expansionist forces saught to expand further on Albanian territories. The Timoč Corps was assigned the mission to break through the Arnaut (Albanian) territories, known as Arnautluk, and outflank Hafis Pasha, and, with the Morava Corps, force his retreat from fortified positions at Prepolac and Samokov. In the book “Рат Србије са Турском за ослобођење и независност 1877-78. године 1879” we can read:

“The advance traversed a complex mountainous region, including Stena, Mrkon, Prapaštica, Grabašnica, Veliglavu, Golak, Poljanica, and ending at Karpin above Vranje. Major elevations included Radan, Petrova Gora, Mrkon, Guri Baba, and Golak. Key roads ran:

• From Kuršumlija via Prepolac down the Lab to Priština
• From Leskovac along Medveđa via Grabašnica to Priština
• From Čečinski Bridge along the Pusta Reka to Bojnik and Slišani, connecting with the Medveđa and Priština roads

The rivers and mountains were mainly inhabited by a purely Albanian population.

2-11 January

The Timoč Corps moved out from Nish on 2 January. The Combined Brigade went to Kočan and Pečenevci, while the Braničevo Brigade followed on 3 January. By 7 January, all corps units concentrated along Zlata, Bojnik, and Lebana. Observations were carried out from 9 to 11 January, with:

• The Knjaževac Army observing villages including Ivanja, Bublica, Slišani, Bučumet, and Gajtan
• The Krajina Army advancing through the Medveđa valley to Crni Vrh and Šumanska River
• The Danube Division observing Petrova Planina and Kuršumlija, across villages of Bublice and Statovca

This led to skirmishes with Arnauts defending their villages, retreating only when faced with superior forces.

13 to 16 January

• 13 January: The Knjaževac Army, led by the Knjaževac Squadron and Svrlica Battalion, captured Gajtan after a rifle battle; one Serbian soldier and six Arnauts were killed. The Danube Division and Krajina Army conducted preparatory movements.
  
• 14 January: The Knjaževac Army advanced toward Prepolac over Madan Mountain, defended stubbornly by Arnauts. After a long gunfight and 12 cannon rounds, the Arnauts retreated to Svinjište and Trha. Soldiers bivouacked in snow overnight.
  
• The Krajina Army advanced to a position between Slišani and Crni Vrh, clashing near Rujinkovac on the Medvedja River. Two companies pushed the Arnauts from initial and secondary positions, aided by artillery fire, then fortified Bučumet as a support point.
  
• The Danube Division moved through Zlatica and Pusta Reka valleys to the Kosaonica valley via Radan Mountain, reaching Vlasi and deploying support battalions in surrounding villages. Harsh weather, including sleet and a blizzard, complicated movement.
  
• 15–16 January: The Knjaževac brigade penetrated over Madan Hill to Svinjište, while heavy artillery arrived with difficulty. Cavalry and scouts surveyed roads, often encountering fog, treacherous terrain, and clashes with Arnauts in all directions

January 17

On 17 January, the Knjaževac Army advanced further toward Prepolac from Svinjište. Despite obstacles, including Albanian resistance, ice, unknown roads, lack of provisions, and severe weather, they captured Trha at the head of the Kosaonica River. A dominant hill above the village was secured after combat, marking another step in the Timoč Corps’ penetration of the Arnaut territories”.

Conclusion

Many villages which the Serbian forces invaded were inhabited by Albanians. Names of the villages:

1. Gor Brijanje
2. Kacabać
3. Granjica
4. Dubova
5. Pridvorice
6. Krivači
7. Tekija (area controlled by Arnaut leader Shejih)
8. Stena
9. Mrkon
10. Prapaštica
11. Grabašnica
12. Veliglavu
13. Golak
14. Poljanica
15. Karpin
16. Ivanja
17. Bublica
18. Slišani
19. Bučumet
20. Gajtan
21. Madana
22. Svinjište
23. Trha
24. Rujinkovac

Reference

Рат Србије са Турском за ослобођење и независност 1877-78. године 1879. Link