Security operation under way in Baku's Nardaran village where seven were killed in armed clash
BAKU. Dec 1 (Interfax) - Azeri law enforcement agencies launched a security operation in the village of Nardaran, which is part of the country's capital Baku, on Tuesday morning to protect citizens' legal rights and freedoms, as well as confiscate weapons and explosives, Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry, National Security Ministry and Prosecutor General's Office said in a joint statement.
Azeri President Ilham Aliyev is personally overseeing this operation, they said.
In accordance with the action plan, a limited amount of special-purpose hardware, as well as Internal Troops and police personnel, were deployed in the village. Checkpoints were set up in certain places, and an investigative group of the Prosecutor General's Office, the Interior Ministry and the National Security Ministry of Azerbaijan is currently working in this area.
Five gang members and two policemen were killed in an armed incident that occurred in Nardaran last Thursday. There were also reports of people injured in the incident. Fourteen people were arrested following the events.
The Interior Ministry and the Prosecutor General's Office said in a joint statement that law enforcement agencies had been alerted that criminal elements acting under the disguise of religious ideas were plotting to disrupt social and political stability in the republic, as well as stage provocations, mass disturbances and terrorist acts. All necessary measures were taken after this information was confirmed.
The population of Nardaran is known for its strict adherence to the traditions of Islam.