The Minister of the Interior at that time Colonel General Dimitar Stoyanov issued an order on December 14, 1978, for the formation of a Specialized Operational Militia Unit (Bulgarian abbreviation SOMP, or Специално оперативно милиционерско поделение (СОМП)), which is the forerunner of the SOBT. The unit was based in Sofia and was subordinated to the regional Sofia City Headquarters of the People's Militia (the police department of the capitol).
On December 14, 1978, Colonel General Dimitar Stoyanov, the Minister of Interior, issued an order for the creation of a Specialized Operational Militia Unit (Bulgarian abbreviation SOMP or СОМП), which later became the SOBT. This unit was based in Sofia and was under the command of the People's Militia’s regional headquarters.