"It was about 5 o'clock on September 27 when I was informed that the enemy was intensively firing on our positions and villages along the frontline. Of course, I immediately came to work and gave the relevant instructions," Azerbaijani Defense Minister Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov said in an interview with Real TV.
"At around 6 o'clock, they started firing from heavy artillery. You know that we also had losses. I immediately reported to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and received directions. I also received instructions to carry out Operation Iron Fist with a counterattack. Thus, the Azerbaijani Army began operations," he added.