Azerbaijan marks anniversary of General Polad Hashimov’s death Honouring National Heroes

July 14 marks the anniversary of the death of Major General Polad Hashimov and four other servicemen of the Azerbaijani army.

As Caliber.Az recalls, Polad Hashimov was born on January 2, 1975, in the village of Vandam, Gabala District. The family later moved to Sumgayit, where Polad completed his secondary education.

In 1992, he was admitted to the Azerbaijan Higher Military School named after Heydar Aliyev. After graduating, he began his military service in the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

Polad Hashimov was awarded the medals “For Military Merit” and “For the Motherland.”

On June 25, 2014, he was awarded the 3rd Class Order “For Service to the Fatherland.”

He served as Chief of Staff of the 1st Army Corps, which fought for the village of Talish in the Tartar District from April 2–4, 2016, during which he was wounded.

For his bravery during the April 2016 battles, he was awarded the 2nd Class Order “For Service to the Fatherland.”

On June 25, 2019, he was granted the high military rank of Major General and was subsequently appointed Chief of Staff of the 3rd Army Corps of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On July 14, 2020, Major General Polad Hashimov heroically fell on the frontline during fierce clashes on the Tovuz section of the Azerbaijan–Armenia state border.

By the decree of President Ilham Aliyev dated December 9, 2020, Polad Hashimov was posthumously awarded the title of "National Hero of Azerbaijan."

On that same day — July 14 — four other servicemen shared his fate: Colonel Ilgar Mirzayev, Majors Anar Novruzov and Namig Ahmadov, and Warrant Officer Yashar Babayev.

Ilgar Anzor oglu Mirzayev was born on May 8, 1973, in the city of Gardabani, Georgian SSR.

In 1980, he began his studies at a secondary school in his hometown and graduated in 1990. In 1991, Mirzayev entered the Baku Higher Combined Arms Command School of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan. After graduating in 1995, he began his military service as a lieutenant in the Azerbaijani army. From 2003 to 2005, he continued his education at the Military Academy of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan. On June 26, 2012, he was promoted to the rank of colonel.

On the morning of July 14, 2020, during fierce battles to repel an enemy attack on the Tovuz section of the Azerbaijan–Armenia state border, Ilgar Mirzayev heroically fell in combat. He was laid to rest in the Second Alley of Honour in Baku.

By the decree of President Ilham Aliyev on December 9, 2020, Colonel Ilgar Mirzayev was posthumously awarded the title of "National Hero of Azerbaijan."