Shooting between Azerbaijani border guards and trespassers along boder with Russia (UPDATE)

16:40

State Border Service issued a statement on a shooting occurred in the territory of Azerbaijan’s Balakan region.

Azerbaijani border guards prevented trespassing attempt by the armed group of 6-7 at about 03.00 on July 16, 2009 in the territory of Zagatala Border Guard Unit of the Azerbaijan State Border Service near the state borders of Azerbaijan with Russia in direction of Mahamalar village of Balakan region, said the statement by the State Border Service.

The trespassers fired on the border guards and wounded soldier Isayev Bahruz Asgar. One of the trespassers – a foreigner whose identity is being specified now – was killed with reprisal fire and one wounded. Other members of the group escaped because of darkness and mountainous and forestry geography.

Quick reaction forces of the State Border Service immediately arrived at the site. Large deal of hand grenades, ammunition, clothes and other equipments were found in the bags the trespassers left at the site.

General Prosecutor’s Office, Interior Ministry and Ministry of National Security were informed about the incident.

The General Prosecutor’s Office launched a criminal case under article 120 (deliberate murder), 228 (illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies, explosives), 318 (illegal crossing border of the Azerbaijan Republic) of the Criminal Code.

Joint searches are underway to detain other members of the organized armed group.

14:46

The trespassers, who didn’t pay attention to the border guards’ warning, fired on the border guards and wounded one of them, police office of Balakan Region said.

One of the armed trespassers was killed in the shooting and five others escaped.

Police officers of Zagatala and Balakan regions are identifying the killed gunman and conducting large-scale operations to detain other trespassers.

/APA/