Azerbaijan police continue to seize Armenian-left weapons in Karabakh PHOTO

Azerbaijani police officers have uncovered a significant cache of weapons and ammunition in the city of Khankendi as part of ongoing comprehensive security measures.

Between July 19 and 26, authorities seized an extensive arsenal including 24 machine guns, one additional machine gun, 28 hand grenades, nine rifles, 29 fuses, five bayonet knives, 3,118 cartridges of various calibers, and 441 mines, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Interior Ministry.

The operations continued with further discoveries in neighbouring areas. In the city of Shusha, police found a machine gun, 50 hand grenades, seven fuses, three mines, and 320 rounds of ammunition.

Another significant haul included eight machine guns, three shotguns, 64 mines, 121 hand grenades, two fuses, 30 improvised explosive devices, 20 capsule detonators, three smoke bombs, a mine detector, 57 TNT sticks, and 1,040 rounds of ammunition.

Additionally, in the Khojaly district, authorities discovered a machine gun and 59 rounds of ammunition.

Azerbaijan began its comprehensive efforts to clear Karabakh of Armenian weapons and military equipment in the wake of the 2020 Karabakh War. The war, which lasted from September 27 to November 10, 2020, resulted in a ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia.

Following the ceasefire, Azerbaijan initiated operations to secure and clear the region of remaining weapons and unexploded ordnance. These operations were aimed at ensuring the safety of civilians and restoring control over the territories regained during the conflict.

The process of clearing and demilitarizing the region has been ongoing since the end of the war. Azerbaijan has conducted extensive searches and seizure operations to remove leftover weaponry, including artillery, mines, and other military equipment. This has included efforts in areas such as Khankendi, Shusha, and Khojaly, which have been focal points for security operations.