Azerbaijani Weapons Pierced a Three-Centimeter Thick Metal Wall Towards Eraskh

On June 14, Azerbaijani forces opened fire towards the Eraskh community in the Ararat region. The target was a metallurgical plant being constructed in the area. The enemy used large-caliber firearms. During a visit by a Hraparak newspaper correspondent, an employee of the plant mentioned that the Azerbaijanis utilized a type of machine gun called 'kord' and larger-caliber sniper rifles, which caused massive holes in a thick concrete wall. The 'kord' bullets pierced a three-centimeter thick metal wall. As a result, two Indian workers at the site sustained shrapnel injuries and are currently being treated at the 'Ararat' medical center; their condition is assessed as moderate severity.

One of the plant employees stated in an interview with Hraparak that the Azerbaijani intention was initially to instill fear. 'If they wanted to kill anyone, they could easily have done so with those weapons, but their goal was to scare us into halting any work related to the plant,' he said, noting that currently, operations at the plant have been suspended, but they plan to resume work soon.

The residents of Eraskh were also surprised, especially since after 2020, the aggressive activities shown by Azerbaijanis had only been directed at Armenian positions, consistently avoiding targeting civilians or non-military facilities.

The administrative head of Eraskh, Saro Ayvazyan, expressed that the gunfire directed at the plant came as a shock. 'It is truly surprising that they opened fire towards the plant, but the fact is they do not want it to operate, as it would keep the residents in Eraskh. Currently, the plant employs residents from both Eraskh and neighboring villages and communities. They offer good salaries, treat people well, and as a result, the number of those leaving for work abroad has significantly decreased. Previously, men had to either go abroad for work or become contractors, but now they are employed at the plant,' said Ayvazyan.

He proudly emphasized that the villagers have no intention of leaving, and there have been no departures. People continue to live in their homes, and the gunfire from Azerbaijanis will not force them to abandon their homes. 'At the time when the Azerbaijanis were shooting, people continued to gather apricots in the orchards, and children were playing in the playground. Life in the village is improving; we are laying down gas pipelines, building a playground, and soon the village will have a church, so we are continuing to beautify our village,' Ayvazyan concluded.