Azerbaijan searches for criminal groups near Russian border

PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijan has launched an operation to identify and dismantle criminal groups operating in regions bordering Russia, aiming to prevent illegal activities. The initiative follows an agreement between the interior ministries of Azerbaijan and Russia.

The "Border-Shield" operation, which includes intelligence and preventive measures, is currently underway, according to Minval.az .

Police checkpoints have been established in the regions of Guba, Gusar, Khachmaz, Balakan, Zagatala, Gakh, Sheki, Oghuz, and Gabala.

Authorities state that the main goal is to "identify and neutralize members of international organized crime and terrorist organizations, as well as to prevent the financing and trafficking of weapons, explosives, drugs, and other illegal goods."

The operation is set to continue until February 10.

Azerbaijan’s State Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs have announced efforts to expose and neutralize extremist terrorist groups, APA reports.

According to the statement, Gadir Hajiyev, a former convict associated with the "Forest Brothers" terrorist group, established criminal connections with residents of Gusar, including Kamran Kerimkhanov, Umud Gulaliyev, Valerik Adilov, Riyad Safaraliyev, Rovshan Lachinov, Nazim Zakiyev, and others.

"They were preparing terrorist attacks by setting up hideouts in the forests near the villages of Hil, Jibir, and Yasab, equipping them with weapons and technical equipment," the statement reads.

At the start of the operation, when special forces located group member Alipasha Kyamilov in Gusar, he resisted arrest by throwing two RGO-78 hand grenades, injuring a special forces officer. Alipasha Kyamilov was neutralized.

During the operation near Jibir village, illegal armed group hideouts were discovered. A shootout ensued, in which Gadir Hajiyev, Riyad Safaraliyev, Valerik Adilov, and Umud Gulaliyev were killed.

Confiscated from the hideouts were components for explosive devices, Kalashnikov rifles, hunting shotguns, ammunition, and a flag associated with a known terrorist organization.

Another group member, Nazim Zakiyev, was hiding on a farm near Hil village, while Kamran Kerimkhanov and Rovshan Lachinov were in the same village. They were neutralized while resisting arrest. Others were taken into custody.