How was the Azerbaijani helicopter shot down near Garakend? - Ex-policeman spoke about the incident

AzTV film crew visited the site near Garakend village in Khojavend district where an Azerbaijani helicopter was shot down on November 20, 1991. The report notes that this event became a turning point in Azerbaijan's political history.

The conflict in Karabakh, disarmament of the Azerbaijani population by Armenian militants, attacks, murders of civilians and other incidents led to the necessity of ensuring security in this region. That is why Azerbaijani political figures headed to these territories, but their trip ended tragically.

Elshan Aliyev, who was serving in the police at that time, talked about the events of that day.

"In the afternoon of November 20, when we were at our post in our village, information came in that a helicopter had been shot down in the direction of Garakend. An alarm was sounded. Unfortunately, because the Armenian positions were too close, we couldn't advance there. Police from Agdam arrived on alert, but Russian soldiers didn't let them through. On November 23, we were brought to the area where the helicopter debris was located. Four Agdam police officers were tasked with collecting the debris together with Russian military personnel," said E. Aliyev.

According to the eyewitness, two things caught his attention.

"First, both helicopter engines were burned, debris was scattered around. Most of the hull was riddled like a colander, apparently by shrapnel. I came closer, but when I wanted to touch the fuselage, a colonel stopped me, saying that all this would be sent for examination.

Second - a hat was lying a little distance away. If I'm not mistaken, at that time in the footage I saw this hat on Aly Mustafayev's head," he added.

More details in the video material: