The war began in Togh village
Residents of the Togh village of Hadrut region recall all episodes of the war. According to them, though there was tension in all parts of Karabakh from the beginning of the movement, the first conflict between Armenians and the Azerbaijani took place in their village and ended with a victim.
"I was in 10th grade at the time. I was studying at a school for Armenians and Azerbaijanis," says villager, 37-year old Spartak Paladyan. According to him, boys his age were involved in the struggle against their fellow Azerbaijani whether they wanted to or not.
"We used to beat each other and throw rocks every day and the teachers used to separate us. On November 17, 1989, the Azerbaijani took one of the Armenian children and started beating him and we went to help. All students created a commotion and we were all beating each other up," says Spartak.
Alexander Poghosyan was one of the activists. He says though that incident had a huge psychological impact on them, they joined the military operations and witnessed heavier cases after that.
"We reached independence thanks to the children as well. Everyone was fighting. I am surprised to see people talk about territorial concessions. People who have shed blood for those lands will never agree to that," says Alexander Poghosyan.
Spartak proudly states that they are free in their independent homeland and adds that he will fight again in case of an imposed war. "If we fought as children, we will fight again and will take our lands that are still in their territory," says Spartak.
