Have fights in Azerbaijan's north with militants from Dagestan caused casualties from both sides? - UPDATED

17:10

The central office of the Interior troops of Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry refuted information about holding an operation on the northern borders, which resulted in losses among military men.

"Interior troops do not hold any operations on the northern border, therefore, the information about their participation in any fights with militants on the border with Dagestan and even casualties do not conform the reality", said the press service for the Interior Troops.

It should be reminded that the Zerkalo newspaper spoke of conduction of a special operation against religious extremists, once fighting in Chechnya and Dagestan. The group includes Chechen - Afghans and local residents. Though not large, the group demonstrates desperate resistance. Militants, experienced in military actions in mountains, escape from persecution", says the newspaper.

"Fights cause casualties to both sides.

The law enforcement bodies of Azerbaijan are closely contacting the due structures of Russia to avert passage of militants to Dagestan", notes the newspaper.

Meanwhile, the spokesman for Interior Troops called this information "completely false". He confirmed that some divisions of interior troops are deployed in country's north but only for participation in planned trainings.

"The unhealthy stir around any movement of the interior troops is surprising. These are just trainings held by the plan, adopted by the supreme command for this year", said the spokesman.

He noted that information about any incident with participation of the Interior Troops of Azerbaijan would have been received by the central office, yet no emergency situation have been fixed in this region so far.

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11:15

Despite official statements, special operations are held against militants in country's north, reports Turan agency with reference to well-informed sources, reports Zerkalo newspaper.

Thus, measures are taken for neutralization of militants, coming from Dagestan in the Gusar woods. This implies religious extremists, once fighting in Chechnya and Dagestan. The group includes Chechen - Afghans and local residents. Though not large, the group demonstrates desperate resistance. Militants, experienced in military actions in mountains, escape from persecution.

The operation mostly involves the internal troops of Azerbaijan. At the same time, experienced militants are also involved.

Fights cause casualties to both sides.

The law enforcement bodies of Azerbaijan are closely contacting the due structures of Russia to avert passage of militants to Dagestan.

It should be reminded that the press service of the armed forces on November 11 refuted statements of mass media about special operations in Guba and Gusar regions of the country. By the same source, next trainings are held in the said zone.

At the same time, in the said zone the law enforcement bodies held a series of operations to neutralize armed groups of radical Islamists.

Thus, on September 8 the National Security Ministry informed about neutralization of a group of terrorists in Gusary. One of the "Forest Brothers" leaders Ilgar Mollachiyev was killed in early September in Dagestan during an operation against militants.

The law enforcement bodies stated the involvement of the Forest Brothers group to an explosion in the Abu Bakr in Baku August 17, which caused death to 3 people and injured another 15.

"Zerkalo"