June 13: Tragic day for Shahumyan, Getashen natives

June 13, 1992 was a tragic day for the residents of Shahumyan and Getashen, Chairman of the Shahumyan-Getashen Compatriotic Union, Edik Balayan told reporters.

He noted that in 1990 and 1991 Azeri barbarians forced 21 000 people to leave Getashen and Shahumyan.

Azerbaijan carried out ‘Operation Koltso’ (Ring), deportation of ethnic Armenians, in Getashen, and later in Shahumyan, Balayan said.

According to him, in June 1992 Azerbaijan attacked the Shahumyan region, with air force, armored cars, while Shahumyan’s population did not have sufficient self-defense ammunition, so they were forced to leave their homes.

Azerbaijan was supported by the subunits and hirelings of the 4th army of the USSR Transcaucasian military district, the head of the compatriotic union said.

“68 freedom fighters, 323 peaceful residents were killed, more than 100 were injured in the fights, and 420 were listed as missing.”

Edik Balayan added that some residents of Shahumyan and Getashen were sheltered in Armenia after they were forced to leave their native villages, some spread all over the world hoping one day they will return to their liberated homes.