Afət Ziyadqızı
A mine explosion occurred on August 21, 2026, in the territory of Dudukchu village in the Khojavend district, an area liberated from occupation.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Prosecutor General's Office, and the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) released a joint statement regarding the incident. Reports indicate that a tractor driven by Sumgait resident Ramal Qiyas oglu Shirinov (born 1983) struck a mine in an area where demining operations have not yet been completed. As a result of the explosion, Shirinov sustained various bodily injuries.
The Khojavend District Prosecutor's Office is currently conducting an investigation into the incident. Following the event, ANAMA, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Prosecutor General's Office have reiterated their urgent appeal to citizens to strictly adhere to safety protocols. Authorities emphasized the importance of paying close attention to mine warning signs, avoiding contact with suspicious objects, refraining from entering unfamiliar territories, and respecting restricted areas marked for demining activities.
The threat of landmines remains a significant challenge in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. Since the end of the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020, the government has prioritized large-scale demining efforts to facilitate the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the reconstruction of infrastructure in the Garabagh and East Zangezur economic regions. Despite these extensive efforts, the high density of mines planted during the decades of occupation continues to pose a severe risk to civilians and personnel working in these areas.
