Baku debunks Armenia's allegations of escalation pretext in military response

The Armenian Foreign Ministry's assertion that the measures taken by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in response to the Armenian provocation are a pretext for escalation is completely unfounded, Caliber.Az reports, citing a statement by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

"After the military provocation that led to the wounding of an Azerbaijani serviceman, the Azerbaijani side eliminated the threat posed by the Armenian military post. This measure was retaliatory. Azerbaijan remains committed to the peace process and calls on the Armenian side to avoid military escalation, which could jeopardise efforts in this direction," the Ministry added.

To recall, on February 12, the Armenian Armed Forces shelled the Azerbaijani military positions in Zangilan wounding a serviceman. At about 13:37 yesterday, on the section of the Azerbaijani-Armenian conditional state border running through the territory of Zangilan district, from the position of the Armenian Armed Forces, located in the direction of Nerkin-And settlement of Gafan district, fire was opened on the position of border troops of the State Border Guard Service of Azerbaijan, located in the village of Kollugishlag of Zangilan district.

As a result of the provocation, a serviceman of the State Border Service soldier Khalilzade Parviz Agakishi oglu was wounded. The serviceman was evacuated by helicopter to a specialized medical institution.

The incident, including the moment of opening fire from the opposite side, was recorded by video surveillance cameras.

At present, the operational situation is stable and under the control of the Azerbaijani units. The responsibility for the provocation lies entirely with the military-political leadership of Armenia.