Today, November 8, is Victory Day. Among those who fought for the liberation of our lands in the Patriotic War were our teachers.
One of them is mathematics teacher Babek Jafarov, who voluntarily joined the war and became a veteran after being wounded in battles.
On this occasion, AzEdu.az spoke with the teacher.
When we went to war, our only thought was to fight. We never even thought about returning:
"I was born in 1995 in Buzeyir village of Lerik district. I received my secondary education at M.Bakhishov No. 3 Full Secondary School in Lerik city. Later, I studied Mathematics and Informatics teaching at Sumgayit State University.
I started my teaching career at Sors village school in Lerik district. In 2019, I participated in the teacher recruitment competition, succeeded, and was appointed as a teacher to Sumrud village in Astara district. Later, I returned to my native district, Gunashli village of Lerik, through transfer. I worked as a mathematics teacher in that village. Then, after passing an exam, I continued my teaching career at Baku city No. 88 Full Secondary School.
In 2016, I served in the military in Nakhchivan. I served as a rifleman in the ground forces for one year. When the war started, I was working as a teacher. I was active in Lerik district. I voluntarily applied for the Patriotic War and was sent to the front.
When we went to war, our only thought was to fight. Frankly, we never even thought about returning. We didn't go there with the intention of returning. We knew that some would be martyred, and some would be wounded in the war. We accepted this reality and went to battle. We believed that we would liberate our lands. We thought that no matter the cost, even if we sacrificed our lives, we had to fight to the end. When we set off from Lerik by bus, the atmosphere was as if we were going to a wedding."
Destroyed houses were our main shelter on the battlefield. Sniper bullets and mortar shrapnel rained down around us:
"My combat path started from Fuzuli district. I fought in the villages of Alkhanli, Garaxanbeyli, and Merdinli in Fuzuli. Then we advanced in the direction of Hadrut. I participated in the operations that started on September 29. Despite intense firefights, strong enemy resistance, and difficult combat conditions, we advanced every day. We tried to protect ourselves from bullets and shrapnel by moving between buildings. Destroyed houses were our main shelter on the battlefield.
After the liberation of Garaxanbeyli village in Fuzuli, our next direction was Merdinli. We were given an attack order. It was very difficult to advance because enemy positions were located on high ground. During the battle, one of our majors was martyred, and as a result of mortar fire, one of our soldiers' legs and another's head were severely wounded. We had many wounded. Nevertheless, we had to carry out our mission. We could not stop or delay.
To facilitate our movement, we dropped our excess baggage. We were advancing with a group of approximately 20 people. Sniper bullets and mortar shrapnel rained down around us. Despite all the dangers, we covered a considerable distance.
We transmitted the coordinates of enemy positions to our artillery. After those positions were hit, we entered the area. After a while, only 15 people remained in our group. We took a few hours break to rest. In the morning, we woke up to the sound of mortar fire. Soon after, we realized we were surrounded."
For two nights and three days, I fought to survive in a severely wounded state:
"I witnessed such events in the war that it is impossible to forget them. For example, I saw our comrade-in-arms catch fire as a result of mortar fire. One can never forget such events. There are also comrades-in-arms whose memories are etched in my mind. I fought shoulder to shoulder with a person from Lerik, from our village, we fought together, but he was later martyred. I still get emotional when I remember him today. May Allah have mercy on all our martyrs! We are still in contact with our surviving comrades-in-arms and talk frequently.
While advancing in the direction of Hadrut, I, along with several comrades-in-arms, fell into an ambush. At that time, we lost martyrs. I was also wounded in this battle. First, I was wounded in the arm. Nevertheless, I continued my movement. A little later, I was also wounded in the leg by fire from a PK machine gun and fell to the ground.
My commander Ilham Dadashov turned back and looked at me. I felt his hesitation. He had to both advance and not leave me under fire. As a result, he returned to me, dragged me behind the bushes, and pulled me out of the firing zone.
I was bleeding, and moreover, I was very thirsty. We had no water with us. My commander tied my wounds with his shoelaces to reduce the bleeding. He picked blackberries from the bushes and ate them himself, and also gave them to me. After a while, he left to get help. After a long wait, he returned with water in his hand. I drank the water in one breath.
He tried to lift me and get me out of there. I clung tightly to his neck so as not to burden him. But we were both tired, we had no strength left. It was impossible to move in the open area. As soon as the enemy saw us, they opened fire, and snipers did not allow us to advance. Therefore, we had to spend another night in the shelter.
My commander went to look for help again. He returned in the morning, but he had not been able to find our soldiers. After resting for a while, he set off again to look for help.
During that time, I fought for two nights and three days to survive. In a severely wounded state, I was fighting a life-and-death battle. I had also accepted death. I was fighting to live, and if necessary, I was ready to die and to kill.
After being evacuated from the combat zone, I was hospitalized. I received treatment for approximately 40 days. I underwent surgery and continued my treatment in various hospitals and clinics. The wounds I sustained were quite severe.
At first, I thought the wound in my arm was not serious. Because I could move my arm comfortably. However, during the examination at the hospital, it was revealed that the bullet had grazed my arm, entered my p, and gone all the way to my back. The doctors stated that they removed that bullet from my back."
When I returned to Lerik, the students greeted me with a large crowd. It was a great source of pride for us to have our names mentioned in schools and to be in the spotlight:
"I also remember the moment I heard the news of victory. I was in the hospital when November 8 was declared Victory Day. I had been wounded and evacuated from the combat zone in mid-October. I heard the news of victory in the hospital. This news brought great joy to all of us. It is impossible to forget that moment and the joy we experienced.
On February 18, I was discharged from the Army and returned home. However, the wound in my leg had not yet healed. The bullet had caused serious damage to my bone.
When I returned to Lerik, the students greeted me with a large crowd. The residents of the district greeted us with great enthusiasm and slogans. It was a great source of pride for us to have our names mentioned in schools and to be in the spotlight. Returning to the school where I worked as a teacher with such a welcome was an unforgettable event for me.
For my services in the Patriotic War, I was awarded the medals "For the Liberation of Fuzuli", "For the Liberation of Shusha", "Brave Warrior" and "Participant of the Patriotic War". In total, I was awarded four medals. We also participated in operations in the direction of the liberation of Shusha. Our combat path passed through that direction."
The war left wounds on my p that will take a long time to heal, and memories in my mind that will never be erased:
"The Patriotic War is an important example for future generations. This war, first and foremost, showed the unity of the Azerbaijani people. When we went to the front, we witnessed the great support of our people. As we moved in cars, people provided us with food and other aid. Everyone tried to provide whatever help they could. This was one of the most beautiful examples of our people's unity.
Another important point was the bravery of the courageous sons of Azerbaijan. The unity of our people and the heroism of our soldiers came together to ensure our great Victory. I believe that all of this should be an important example for future generations, especially students. The war left wounds on my p that will take a long time to heal, and memories in my mind that will never be erased. It is not difficult for me to endure the pain of these wounds. Because I fought for the Motherland and contributed to the liberation of our lands."
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