Military honours memory of war hero Natig Gasimov Captured in Khojaly by Armenian forces during First Karabakh War

A memorial service commemorating the death of Natig Gasimov, a National Hero of Azerbaijan who died in the First Karabakh War during the attack on Azerbaijan’s Khojaly district, was held on January 2 during a military event. 

In the course of the tribute, key speakers recounted the combat journey of the young Natig Gasimov, Caliber.Az reports citing the Ministry of Defense. They emphasized his profound sense of patriotism journey, highlighting his bravery and courage, which serve as an inspiring example for Azerbaijani youth. The ceremony concluded with the screening of a documentary dedicated to his life.

Caliber.Az recalls, that Gasimov was posthumously awarded the honorary title of "National Hero of Azerbaijan" by a decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on June 25, 2024. He died while defending the village of Khojaly from the invading Armenian forces in the course of the First Karabakh War. He was captured and tortured by the orders of Armenian Commander Vitaly Balasanyan, who later was appointed to several high-ranking posts in pseudo-government of the occupying Armenian forces in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region. While his capture has been documented on film by the Armenian side, Gasimov’s remains have still not been located. 

The Khojaly genocide is the gravest crime of genocide committed against peaceful Azerbaijani people in the course of Armenia’s aggressive war against Azerbaijan. On the night of 25-26 February 1992, in violation of all international legal norms, Armenian armed forces attacked the civilian population of the sieged town of Khojaly with heavy military equipment, killing them with unprecedented brutality and razing the town to the ground. As a result, a total of 613 civilian Azerbaijanis, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 elders were brutally murdered on grounds of national identity.

By Nazrin Sadigova