Armenian armed forces commit large-scale provocation in directions of Dashkasan, Kalbajar and Lachin

Baku, September 13, AZERTAC In the late hours of 12 September, units of the Armenian armed forces committed a large-scale act of sabotage in the directions of Dashkasan, Kalbajar and Lachin of the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border, press service of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense told AZERTAC. According to the ministry, the sabotage groups of the Armenian armed forces, acting in the dark, made use of the mountainous terrain of the territory and the existing ravines in different directions to mine the areas between the positions of the units of the Azerbaijan Armed Forces and supply roads. As a result of urgent measures taken by Azerbaijani units to immediately thwart these acts, a battle flared up. Certain positions, shelters and bases of the Azerbaijan Army in the territory of Dashkasan, Kalbajar and Lachin districts were fired upon with various types of weapons, including mortars, by units of the Armenian armed forces located in the direction of Basarkecher, Istisu, Garakilsa and Gorus settlements. As a result, there are casualties among Azerbaijani personnel and damage to military infrastructure. “In order to prevent the provocation of the armed forces of Armenia and military threats to the territory and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, and ensure the safety of our military personnel, including civilian workers involved in infrastructure work in the territory of Kalbajar and Lachin districts, resolute response measures are being taken by units of the Azerbaijan Army deployed in this direction. Necessary measures are being taken to silence the firing points of the Armenian armed forces and prevent the expansion of the scale of the military conflict. There are casualties among the personnel and combat equipment of the armed forces of Armenia involved in sabotage operations,” the ministry said. “In general, the provocations of the Armenian armed forces in the direction of the Lachin, Gadabay, Dashkasan and Kalbajar districts of the state border, as well as the firing on the positions of the Azerbaijan Army in these districts with various types of weaponry, have been quite intense and systematic in the past month. At the same time, observations show that Armenia had been concentrating its offensive weapons, heavy artillery and personnel along the border with Azerbaijan. All this is further evidence of the fact indicated that Armenia is preparing for a large-scale military provocation. By resorting to such actions, Armenia aims to slow down the implementation of large-scale civil infrastructure projects Azerbaijan is carrying out in border districts liberated from occupation and to maintain tensions near the border with Azerbaijan. We declare again that responsibility for the provocation, stand-off and casualties rests squarely with the military and political leadership of Armenia. Additional information about the situation will be provided in due course,” the ministry added.