Nearly 250,000 ha of land in Karabakh and East Zangazur highly contaminated with landmines

As many as 248,000 hectares of land in Karabakh and East Zangazur are highly contaminated with landmines, Ramil Azizov, Head of the International and Public Relations Department of Azerbaijan’s Mine Action Agency (ANAMA), at the special session themed ‘Impact of landmines, improvised explosive devices, and unexploded ordinances on cultural property’ held in Aghdam city as part of the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, Report informs.

Azizov also pointed out that 780,000 hectares of land are contaminated with landmines at medium and low levels: "After the anti-terrorist operations, numerous landmines were discovered in the territories of Khojaly and Khankandi. In the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, there is a danger of landmines at almost every step. River banks, cemeteries, buildings of various purposes, ruins—in short, everywhere is contaminated with landmines. In order to clear mines, different methods are used. With the help of mice, dogs, and mechanical demining devices, our land is cleared of landmines. Along with men, women deminers also participate in the process."