Azerbaijan's statement on cessation of fire is information trap: Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijani Defense Ministry statement on the alleged cessation of hostilities is just an "information trap," it doesn't mean Baku is stopping the fire, Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan said in a Facebook post.

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry issued a statement Sunday, April 3, claiming it is unilaterally stopping military actions on the Karabakh contact line. According to the statement, the decision was made "taking into account the international organizations' calls and Baku's pacifist policy." At the same time, Azerbaijan threatened to use all kinds of weapons in case the Armenian side attacks.

Commenting on Azerbaijan's statement, Karabakh President's spokesman Davit Babayan said, in turn, that the reality is quite different.

"In the last 24 hours, Azerbaijan has twice declared that it is ceasing the fire but has been going on with its terrorist activities instead. This is quite typical of Azerbaijan," he said. "We have expressed on multiple occasions our readiness for a constructive dialogue on the peaceful settlement of the conflict, but this doesn't mean we are weak and unable to protect our independence, freedom and dignity."

Earlier, spokesperson for the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army Senor Hasratyan told PanARMENIAN.Net that Azerbaijani Defense Ministry statement on a unilateral cessation of fire is completely false. Moreover, he said, the Azerbaijani army units kept using BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers and 152-mm artillery to shell Martakert.

The Nagorno Karabakh Defense Ministry declared on Sunday, April 3, that the situation is quite tense along the entire line of contact. Clashes are especially fierce in the northeastern and southeastern directions of frontline.

In Talish direction, Karabakh troops caused major human force and equipment losses to the Azerbaijani side. Here, according to verified information, Azeri forces lost three tanks, having lost another two tanks and an infantry fighting vehicle in the southeastern direction.

On April 2-3, the Azerbaijani side has lost 14 tanks and over 5 armored vehicles, including an IFV.

One Karabakh tanks has been destroyed so far.

On April 2, 18 Armenian servicemen were killed and 35 more were wounded in clashes between Karabakh and Azerbaijani troops. A civilian, 12-year-old Vaghinak Grigoryan was killed in the Azeri shelling of a shool yard, six more civilians, including two children were wounded.