Five contract servicemen wounded in Artsakh in shootout provoked by Azerbaijan

YEREVAN, March 25. /ARKA/. Five contract servicemen of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Defense Army were wounded in a shootout provoked by Azerbaijani armed forces in the early hours of March 25, the Artsakh Information Center reported.

According to it, the lives of the wounded soldiers are not in danger. It said also that the Artsakh authorities are conducting an active dialogue with the command of the Russian peacekeeping forces deployed in Artsakh.

The Center said that every effort is being made for the Russian side to undertake all necessary measures at all levels within the frames of its mission to return the Azerbaijani troops, who had invaded the village of Parukh of Askeran region on March 24, to their initial positions.

Along with that, Artsakh armed forces are taking additional measures to ensure the security of nearby villages.

"We expect the Russian peacekeeping mission to resolve issues which are in its control and after the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani side the civilian population will return to their homes with additional security guarantees," the Center said.

On March 24 Azerbaijani troops infiltrated into the area of responsibility of the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation in Parukh village of Askeran region of Nagorno-Karabakh. They attacked the bases of the Artsakh Defense Army last night. According to Artsakh Defense Ministry, at least 5 Azerbaijani soldiers were killed in the shootout. -0-