On 1 May 1991, following an incident where Croatian policemen entered Borovo Selo, Reihl-Kir became involved when he contacted Vukašin Šoškoćanin, the commander of the Serb forces in the village, who confirmed the incident and said the police had shot at members of the local population, wounding one. Reihl-Kir failed to secure the release of two officers who were captured following the incident. Reihl-Kir and Vinkovci police chief Josip Džaja concluded that a rescue party should be sent to Borovo Selo. Following this, the Battle of Borovo Selo took place, Reihl-Kir openly protested HDZ politicians' obstruction of his efforts to broker peace between the two sides. SAO Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Syrmia was proclaimed on 25 June 1991.