Grenade explosion in Khojaly leaves Tovuz resident severely injured

A grenade explosion occurred in the village of Khanyurd, located in the Khojaly district, which was recently liberated from occupation. The explosion resulted in significant injuries to a local resident from Tovuz district.

According to a joint statement from Azerbaijan’s General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Mine Action Agency, the incident took place in the aforementioned village, Caliber.Az reports.

As a result of the explosion, Agshin Mammadov, a 17-year-old resident of Jalilli village in Tovuz, sustained severe injuries to his right hand. Tragically, three fingers were amputated in the blast.

The Khojaly District Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the explosion, with authorities working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The authorities have also emphasized the importance of continued mine clearance operations in the region, as such incidents highlight the ongoing danger posed by unexploded ordnance in areas previously affected by conflict.

The injured individual has been provided with medical care, and authorities are closely monitoring his condition. Further details regarding the investigation and the broader security efforts in the region will be released as they become available.

Azerbaijan has borne the devastating consequences of a protracted 30-year conflict and occupation by Armenia, which has left the country grappling with severe landmine contamination. Approximately 12 per cent of Azerbaijan's territory is affected by an estimated 1.5 million landmines and an unknown quantity of unexploded ordnances (UXOs), making it one of the most mine-contaminated nations in the world.

Since the cessation of hostilities in 2020, 361 Azerbaijani citizens have fallen victim to landmine explosions, including 68 fatalities and 293 individuals with severe injuries. The cumulative number of mine-related casualties since Armenia's initial aggression in the early 1990s exceeds 3,400, with children and women comprising 358 and 38 of these victims, respectively.

This alarming increase in casualties is largely attributed to Armenia's failure to provide accurate minefield maps and its deliberate placement of mines in civilian areas, including roads, cemeteries, and key infrastructure, behind former frontlines. Between 2020 and 2023, more than 500 kilometres of new minefields were laid.

Humanitarian demining remains a critical priority for Azerbaijan’s government. The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) is the principal body overseeing demining operations. To date, approximately 140,000 hectares have been cleared, resulting in the removal of 119,946 mines and UXOs. Despite these efforts, vast areas remain heavily contaminated, significantly impeding the country’s recovery and the safe return of approximately 800,000 displaced citizens.

Azerbaijan has made substantial investments in demining initiatives, incorporating advanced technologies and deploying all-female demining teams. However, the country continues to bear the overwhelming financial burden of these operations. International support is crucial to further alleviate the humanitarian crisis and to facilitate the safe and timely rehabilitation of the affected regions.

By Vafa Guliyeva