June 6, 1992, is one of the most significant days in the modern history of Azerbaijan. It was on that day that the first National Heroes of the country were declared by decree number 831.
Modern.az reminds that 11 employees of the internal affairs bodies were posthumously awarded the title of "National Hero of Azerbaijan" for their bravery and courage shown in protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as ensuring the safety of the civilian population.
Maharram Seyidov worked as a chief inspector at the Sharur District Police Department in Nakhchivan. During the heavy battles in the direction of Sadarak, he, with the detachment he led, prevented enemy attacks. At the last moment, he created conditions for his comrades-in-arms to escape the encirclement and heroically died himself.
Ilham Aliyev was a police officer who distinguished himself with exemplary service in the internal affairs bodies. Ilham Aliyev, who was awarded the "Excellent Police" badge, participated in the defense of Ashaghi Askipara village of Gazakh district in August 1990. Although he was severely wounded in the abdomen, he did not leave his combat position and died from his wounds.
Yuri Kovalyov is one of the personalities who hold a special place among the first National Heroes. Despite being of Russian origin, he fought in the ranks of the Special Purpose Police Detachment (SPPD) for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The Armenians had put a large sum of money on his head. To the question of foreign journalists, "Are you Russian?", he is remembered for his answer, "Yes, I am Russian, but Azerbaijan is my homeland." He died in October 1991 while returning from a combat mission in the direction of Aghdam.
Mikayil Jabrayilov was the son of the legendary partisan Ahmadiyya Jabrayilov, who was awarded the title of National Hero of France in World War II. Mikayil, who served in the Sheki City Police Department, was seconded to Karabakh and participated in the defense of Jamilli village. While rescuing his comrades-in-arms and villagers who fell into an ambush, he fought until his last bullet and died.
Alif Hajiyev, as the head and commandant of Khojaly airport, was one of the main organizers of the city's defense. He forced Armenian militants who wanted to seize the airport to retreat with a cunning plan. On the night of the Khojaly genocide, he helped hundreds of residents reach a safe area, and heroically died while returning for the last time to rescue people trapped in the encirclement.
Safarali Mammadov, despite having the opportunity to serve in Baku, voluntarily went to the Karabakh front. He showed great courage in the battles in the directions of Aghdam and Khojavand. In February 1992, during the Garadaghli tragedy, while fighting with the detachment he led, he died as a result of his car being hit by a grenade launcher shell.
Yusif Aliyev was an employee of the Baku City Patrol Service Regiment. He showed particular activity in the battles in the direction of Goranboy. In September 1991, he heroically died while delivering ammunition to soldiers fighting in Buzlug village.
Vugar Huseynov fought in the ranks of the SPPD in the directions of Khojaly and Goranboy. He also played an important role in the operation to identify those involved in the murder of the martyred journalist Salatyn Asgarova. He died in July 1991 during the defense of Goranboy.
Nofal Guliyev joined the ranks of the SPPD at the end of 1990 and participated in battles in Fuzuli, Goranboy, and other regions of Karabakh. During the attack on Todan village, he heroically died while ensuring the safe evacuation of the civilian population.
Mehdi Abbasov left his comfortable life in Kazakhstan, returned to his homeland, and served as a company commander in the SPPD. His comrades-in-arms knew him by the nickname "Mikhaylo". While fighting on the front line in the battle in the direction of Malikjan, he was severely wounded by a sniper bullet and died.
Valeh Muslumov joined the SPPD in 1991 and participated in operations in the directions of Shusha, Tovuz, Gubadli, and Aghdara. In April 1992, he was severely wounded in an unequal battle for Marqushevan village and died from his injuries.
It should be noted that to date, 226 people have been awarded the honorary title of "National Hero of Azerbaijan". The vast majority of them were awarded this title posthumously. The last time the title of National Hero was awarded was on November 7, 2025, to Senior Lieutenant Vagif Gurbanov of the Air Force of the Ministry of Defense and Warrant Officer Panjali Teymurov of the Special Forces (both posthumously).
Currently, 14 people holding the title of "National Hero of Azerbaijan" are alive. They are Bakhtiyar Allahverdiyev, Intigam Atakishiyev, Rovshan Akbarov, Vahid Guliyev, Mirza Guliyev, Fakhraddin Jabrayilov, Ehtiram Aliyev, Fariz Gahramanov, Madat Guliyev, Zabit Guliyev, Fariz Madatov, Movsum Mammadov, Sahil Mammadov, and Ibad Huseynov.
