Dashalti Epic: Victory after 29 years - REPORTAGE - PHOTOS

Dashalti Epic: Victory after 29 years - REPORTAGE - PHOTOS
# 25 January 2021 16:53 (UTC +04:00)

29 years pass since the operation Dashalti, during which Azerbaijan lost 94 servicemen in one night. Dashalti operation was started at evening hours on January 25, 1992. Three detachments of the Azerbaijani Army, consisting of volunteers and militaries of the defense battalion of Shusha participated in the operation. The operation, planned for the liberation of Dashalti village, was led by former Defense Minister Major General Tajaddin Mehdiyev himself. However, Dashalti operation went down in history as the least successful operation of the Azerbaijani Army, as a result of tactical faults, the disconnection between detachments of volunteers, reveal and spread of secret of operation plan, as well as the betrayal of guards.

The platoon of Azerbaijanis, who entered Dashalti village that night, were ambushed and suffered a great loss. There were also tens of injured and missing people during the operation, in which 94 servicemen were killed. The Armenian side revealed that these figures are more. But people, who participated in the battle voluntarily, say Armenians also suffered losses.

Dashalti can also be assessed as an example of bravery, courage, besides being an unsuccessful operation of the Azerbaijani Army. Azerbaijani soldier, who moved against the enemy without hesitation for a moment and unblinkingly, confirmed readiness for sacrificing his life for the sake of territory 29 years after the operation by revenging the Dashalti.

Participant of 1992 operation Dashalti Niyazi Guliyev said in his interview to APA in the same village that he came to Shusha from September of 1991. He participated in battles in Karkijahan, Malibayli, Gushchular villages. Former serviceman N. Guliyev says that victorious Azerbaijani Army, which gained victory under the leadership of Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, made happy souls of martyrs of the first Karabakh war too by liberating Shusha city, Dashalti: “Shusha is located in such a place, such a position that expressing the victory with the word is impossible. I am here – in Shusha after 29 years. I express my gratitude to Supreme Commander-in-Chief for these feelings. I took part in Operation Dashalti 29 years before, we had great losses there. The liberation of Shusha, Dashalti today also means relief of their souls.

Military expert Ruslan Imamguliyev noted there were betrayals in most of the military operations of Azerbaijan during the first Karabakh war. The expert thinks that none of the servicemen in the Dashalti operation wanted to be defeated like other battles: “They were going to these operations, these battles for victory. Unfortunately, lack of experience, absence of single commandership, as well as causing betrayals in some cases resulted in failure, losses. But today, Azerbaijani youth, fighters proved that they are able to gain victory. As a result of Azerbaijan’s achievement in directions of economic, political/. Diplomatic, military-industrial, and army building, as well as the establishment of nation-army solidarity around Supreme Commander-in-Chief, we have been able to arrive in Dashalti village and Shusha city today. The main point was that the national spirit, land love did not die, on the contrary, it became more powerful over the years. Probably, you will also agree with me that the issue of Karabakh, belief feeling in the liberation of our territories from occupation have never slipped into the background for a moment during these years. Our righteous course was delivered to the world in international events, from high tribunes. It was declared in the most severe and determined form that Azerbaijan would never give up on Karabakh, its eternal and ancient territories. As a logical result it, our territories was liberated from occupation as a result of counter-offensive operations of the Azerbaijani Army on September 27, Azerbaijan regained its Karabakh, Shusha, Dashalti. May Allah rests in peace our martyrs, heal our veterans and give them health. Because we are already able to walk in Shusha, Dashalti blamelessly, proud of this victory thanks to them, thanks to our Army. The black stain on our forehead was removed by waving our flag in Shusha.”

Major in reserve Amrah Jabbarov said in his interview with APA that he also took part in Operation Dashalti in 1992. The former fighter says the Dashalti operation was an unnecessary plan. According to A. Jabbarov, Dashalti village could also be liberated in a different form, with different tactics from the direction of Shusha city: “Power struggles were the direct reason of the defeat. I was one of the first soldiers of one of the first battalions of the Azerbaijani Army. We had very few weapons at those times, we suffered from a lack of military personnel. This situation, naturally, led to failure. At those times, people, who served in the Soviet Army, was involved in the Army. Most of them served in construction battalions, agricultural detachments of the Soviet Army. It was implemented so deliberately, most of the Azerbaijanis in service were not taught secrets of military art. Azerbaijani soldiers were not taken to fighting military units. The first parts of the Azerbaijani Army were generally organized from soldiers, who served in this way. As if that were not enough, political conflicts, power struggles, uncontrollability, and fight for military leadership caused losses, defeat. Organization of an armed attack to enter such a village, located in such geographical condition, was not necessary. It would be possible to clear the village by shelling it from high lands in the direction of Shusha, by using different variants.”

Ə.Jabbarov noted that today, Azerbaijani Army has achieved great history: “Azerbaijani Army has achieved unique operations during 44-days war. The most important of them is certainly Shusha operation. The revenge of Dashalti operation, which was a black spot in military history, was taken during this unique operation, the village has been liberated from the occupation. It is not accidental that today, the military headquarters of the world countries, defense bodies are learning the combat tactics that Azerbaijani Army has used in the Shusha operation. The Shusha operation, which was written in golden letters in the military history of the world, took place under the leadership of our Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and the unparalleled bravery of our army. I have come to the village, where we were defeated, as a winner 29 years later thanks to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the Azerbaijani Army. I am grateful to Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and Azerbaijani Army who gave us this pride”.

92 years pass from Dashalti operation in 1992. This operation was like the beginning of the failure of the Azerbaijani Army, occupation of our lands. Azerbaijani Army, the state of Azerbaijan has been shaken after those operations. After those operations, the attack of Armenians to the different directions of Karabakh have intensified. Armenians occupied and burned Malibeyli and Gushchular villages of the Shusha region on February 11, 1992, and committed massacres in Garadagli and surrounding villages of the Khojavend region on February 17. On the night of February 25-26, the Khojaly genocide took place. On May 8-9, the city of Shusha, and on May 17, the Lachin region came under the complete control of the Armenians. These attacks lasted until May 14, 1994. As a result, Nagorno-Karabakh and 7 surrounding regions have been occupied by Armenian armed forces.

This occupation lasted 27-28 years. And...

And this occupation has ended with 44 days war started on September 27, Shusha, as well as Dashalti, which was the beginning of the failure of these operations, have liberated.

Murad Azizov is one of those who fought in the Victory battle and took revenge for the Dashalti tragedy. Murad Azizov noted that the lands have been liberated at the expense of the blood of the martyrs: “I have lost some of my friends. We owe them. I feel proud to serve in Shusha city today and to be a participant in the Dashalti operation. Most importantly, I feel proud that the blood of our martyred comrades and martyr brothers did not remain on the ground. I am proud of being an Azerbaijani”.

Another hero of Dashalti operation Humbat Shamiyev says that The Azerbaijani soldier managed to liberate the Armenian positions at high altitudes by climbing steep rocks: “It is amazing feelings. Let me note that, we had trouble while entering yo the village because the enemy was at a high. We were below and climbing to the height. But, thanks to God, we have also liberated here. When we attacked, Armenians did not know. It was about 5 a.m. We have already passed the bridge, and we were at the entrance of the village. They did not wait. Even their patrols were asleep. When they are aware that we are coming, they started firing at us. They called each other in a loud voice. We positioned and started shooting. They were shooting at us from above and through the houses below, they were taking the support. They were at the top of the mountain. But we attacked from below. They were very high, but they still couldn't stand in front of us and ran away”.

Ilgar Rzayev, a participant in the Dashalti battles moved upwards after liberating the village: “After liberating Dashalti, we moved in order to reach upward. It was difficult. Despite difficulties, we were moving ahead. The enemy was shooting downwards. Despite this, we were still marching on the enemy. The enemy threw away weapons, ammunition, and armored vehicles and run away".

Azerbaijani Army made our people winner with 44 days of war. Now, the whole world knew this person, this Army better after 30 years. Both, friend and the enemy knew that what the Azerbaijani people and the Azerbaijani army is capable of.

“Dashalti operation” has been written with black letters to the fate of the Azerbaijani people 29 years earlier.

But, today, Dashalti, Shusha is written with golden letters to our lives. Thanks to Our Supreme Commander-in-Chief, our Army, our Martyrs, our Veterans...

Nagorno Garabagh

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