Khojaly resident: On that day, Armenians killed my parents and 28 of my relatives

Armenians invaded Khojaly, shelling the city from heavy artillery mounts and large-caliber weapons, a witness of the Khojaly genocide Shahin Hasanbala oglu Azimov told Report's western bureau.

Azimov noted that Armenians surrounded Khojaly with the help of the 366th motorized rifle division.

"Armenians who surrounded Khojaly from four sides started their offensive, firing from everywhere. They killed anyone they came across, be it an infant, a woman, or an elderly, and burned houses. We, with my parents, decided to move towards Aghdam. We had no other way out. Hundreds of unarmed, peaceful residents of Khojaly fleed in the same direction. There were women, children, and aged people among them."

According to the witness of the tragedy, having passed the Gargarchay river by bumpy roads in snowy, frosty weather, they reached the area, called Garagay:

"The armed units of the enemy, who were waiting in ambush there, targeted us with fire again. It was dark, and we couldn't see where the shooting came from. But shells were pouring down like rain. They killed both of my parents and 28 of my relatives. Among them were children aged 3 and 6. Many peaceful residents of Khojaly were killed that night."

Azimov said this day is a great tragedy, noting that the terror of that night will never be forgotten.

"Surviving that massacre was a miracle. From there, we moved to Aghdam. But on that day, we couldn't return and take our injured and killed relatives with us. We could get there only after two days, on February 28, to take the bodies of our close ones. The corpses were brought to Aghdam and buried at the Martyrs' Alley. Later, Armenians occupied the Aghdam district and ruined the Martyrs' Alley."

Azimov said that visiting the graves of his parents and relatives after the liberation of Aghdam would be a great solace for him.

"True, Armenians have ruined the graves, but at least I can visit the lands where my parents were buried," he said.

The Khojaly resident added that what he saw during the terrorist attacks on Ganja, committed by Armenians during the Patriotic War, reminded him of what he went through in Khojaly:

"I saw myself in the children who lost both parents in Ganja. My parents were also killed by the enemy, who turned me into an orphan. It is a great sorrow. I pray for Allah's mercy on all our martyrs. I dream of returning to Khojaly, to my homeland, one day."