Azerbaijan's security agencies turn 106 years old

March 28 marks the 106th anniversary of the establishment of Azerbaijan's national security agencies. This significant date is associated with the creation of intelligence and counterintelligence services on March 28, 1919, to ensure the state security of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

As BAKU.WS reminds us, for 28 years now, in accordance with the decree signed by the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev on March 23, 1997, this day is annually celebrated as the professional holiday of Azerbaijan's security service employees.

The history of national security agencies in the country began with the creation of intelligence and counterintelligence units under the General Staff of the Ministry of War on March 28, 1919, by order of the War Minister of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, Samed bey Mehmandarov. Mamedbagir Sheikhzamanly was appointed as the first head of the structure, followed by his brother Nagi Sheikhzamanly. During the Soviet era, the structure was initially called the Extraordinary Commission (Cheka) and functioned for some time as part of the People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs (NKVD), then the Committee for State Security was created. During the seventy years of Soviet power, the task of state security agencies in the republic was mainly to protect the existing system and prevent the spread of thinking that contradicted the ideology of this totalitarian regime.

For a long time, national personnel were not allowed to hold high positions in this special service body. Only after the great leader Heydar Aliyev, who had earned great authority and trust in his young years thanks to his high intellect, outstanding organizational and managerial abilities, and innate intelligence talent, took leadership positions in Azerbaijan's state security agencies, it became possible to increase the number of local and national personnel in the staff, promote them, and educate them in the spirit of Azerbaijanism. With the appointment of Heydar Aliyev as Chairman of the State Security Committee in 1967, a completely new stage began in the history of Azerbaijan's security agencies. The national leader, who devoted 25 years of his meaningful and glorious life to service in national security agencies, implemented a fundamental change, laid the foundations of the nationalization policy in the security system, and achieved his goal. This policy, founded by the great leader, played an exceptional role in establishing stability in Azerbaijan, which was accepted and welcomed by the entire world.

The great leader Heydar Aliyev did a great deal during his time in Azerbaijan's security agencies. Successful operations were carried out under his direct leadership, and efforts were made to nationalize these agencies. The great leader always attached great importance to discipline and the precise execution of given instructions by employees. Currently, the professional school founded by Heydar Aliyev in the security organization continues worthily. The operational staff of the State Security Service is always guided by the criteria he defined for the effective operation of special service agencies.

The founder and creator of modern Azerbaijan, the honorary head of Azerbaijan's security agencies, Heydar Aliyev said: "A security agency or intelligence agency achieves victory when it fulfills its duties with dignity, and there are professional personnel and a working style."

President Ilham Aliyev focuses on achieving serious qualitative changes in this area. Thanks to the successful reforms of the head of state, who is pursuing a policy of building a strong army in the country, the activities of security agencies have risen to a new level. Always taking a comprehensive and systematic approach to security issues, Ilham Aliy