On February 3, the Azerbaijani State Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs conducted joint operations to identify and prevent terrorist and sabotage activities by members of radical religious-extremist groups affiliated with international terrorist organizations, according to a joint statement.

As a result of operational-investigative measures, it was revealed that Gadir Hajiyev, previously convicted for involvement with the terrorist group "Forest Brothers," conspired with Gusar district residents Kamran Karimkhanov, Umud Gulaliyev, Valerik Adilov, Riyad Safaraliyev, Rovshan Lachinov, Nazim Zakiyev, and others to carry out terrorist acts in the district. The group had constructed underground shelters in the forest areas near the villages of Hil, Jibir, and Yasab, equipping them with weapons, ammunition, explosives, technical devices, and other necessary equipment.

During an attempt to detain group member Alipasha Kamilov, he resisted arrest by attacking special forces personnel in Gusar city with two "RGO-78" hand grenades, injuring one officer before being neutralized. Further investigative measures led to the discovery of hidden shelters in the forest near Jibir village, where Gadir Hajiyev, Riyad Safaraliyev, Valerik Adilov, and Umud Gulaliyev were killed while resisting law enforcement and detonating explosive devices.

The search of the shelters uncovered materials used for making explosives, including peat, acetone, detonators, remotely controlled explosive mechanisms, metal fragments, and lead components, as well as two Kalashnikov assault rifles, three shotguns, ammunition, and a flag symbolizing an internationally recognized terrorist organization.

Additional operations revealed that group members Nazim Zakiyev, Kamran Karimkhanov, and Rovshan Lachinov were hiding in the village of Hil and a nearby farm. They were neutralized after offering armed resistance. The investigation uncovered details regarding the group’s organizational structure, equipment, and planned activities.

Etibar Ahmadov, who had illegally obtained ammonium nitrate, peat, detonators, and fire-carrying cords to manufacture homemade explosives, was injured when the devices exploded at the "Motel" guest house in Gusar and a nearby car wash. Further investigations established reasonable suspicions that Sharafeddin Mahmudov, Etibar Ahmadov, and other Gusar district residents participated in the group's activities, supplying explosives and other equipment.

Etibar Ahmadov, Rahim Mirzabeyov, David Rashidov, Sharafeddin Mahmudov, Abugul Babayev, and Elchin Alirzayev were charged under multiple articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, including 28,214.2.1, 28,214.2.3, and 28,214.2.6, which pertain to preparing acts of terrorism based on religious hostility, radicalism, and fanaticism using firearms and other weapons in the framework of a criminal organization. A court ordered their pretrial detention.