Three Azerbaijani Soldiers Killed Near Nagorno-Karabakh

BAKU -- Three Azerbaijani soldiers were killed today after exchanging fire with Armenian armed forces near the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports.

Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry confirmed the deaths and said another soldier was wounded as a result of the shooting, which is a violation of a ceasefire agreement between the two forces.

The ministry did not say exactly where the fighting between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces took place. A ministry spokesman said the Armenian side also suffered casualties.

News agencies reported earlier today that Armenian forces shelled Azerbaijani positions in the Agdam, Terter, and Goranboy districts. Najmeddin Sadikhov, the chief of Staff of Azerbaijan's Armed Forces, told the ANS TV station that Azerbaijan's army responded to the shelling.

Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a six-year war over Nagorno-Karabakh that ended in 1994 with Armenian forces in control of the disputed territory and seven other Azerbaijani districts.