Border violator who opened fire on border guards neutralised on Azerbaijan–Iran border

A border violator who opened fire on border guards has been neutralised in the service area of the “Goytapa” border detachment of the Border Troops of Azerbaijan's State Border Service (SBS).

According to the Service's Press Centre, a border patrol guarding the state border observed the movement of border violators from Iran towards Azerbaijan. The border outpost was immediately raised on the “To arms” command, the area was sealed off and measures were taken to prevent the violation of the state border.

The “Halt” order was given, the border violators were pursued and warning shots were fired into the air. The border violator, who did not obey the order, put up armed resistance and opened fire with the aim of killing the border guards. In order to detain the person who ignored the lawful demands of the border guards, weapons were used in accordance with the requirements of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On the State Border”, and the border violator was neutralised.

The Iranian side was informed of the incident through the border representative line. A criminal case has been opened, and the State Border Service and the Military Prosecutor's Office are jointly continuing the necessary operational-search and investigative measures.

Armed incidents involving border violators have occurred on the Azerbaijan–Iran border before. Earlier, three people who illegally crossed the border near the village of Gendara in Yardimli district opened fire on State Border Service personnel, killing two officers. One of the suspects, an Iranian citizen, was detained, while another Iranian citizen was neutralised after putting up armed resistance while hiding in a mountainous area.