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The special operation to recover the bodies and remains of Armenian helicopter crewmembers was carried out by a group of four commandoes. The operation featured three different types of aerial devices, one of which was employed for the first time ever.
According to political scientist Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan, who discussed the special operation carried out by Nagorno Karabakh Republic Defense Army Special Forces few days ago at a press conference, the operation was «carefully planned» and «masterfully implemented».

«A huge work has been done. I know that at first a thorough recoinassance of the terrain was done, the enemy's positions were discovered, the traps and numbers of soldiers [on the other side], as well as the level of their ammunition was considered. The territories were demined in order to enable them approaching the helicopter. The operation was outlined; starting November 20 it was continuously implemented [in phases] to have a splendid outcome at the end. The guys on the frontline ensured the successful accomplishment of the operation by our four commandoes», - said Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan, unveiling some details of the operation carried out by Nagorno Karabakh Republic Defense Army Special Forces, adding that further details may be added only by the Defense Ministry.

Melik-Shahnazaryan added that during the operation around 5-7 soldiers of the adversary army were destroyed, precisely those grouped for the trap, that had been waiting to receive the Nagorno Karabakh commandoes.

The Armenian helicopter was downed by Azerbaijani forces on November 12. Few days later the Nagorno Karabakh Republic's armed forces, after unsuccessful attempts of returning the bodies of pilots through mediation of international organizations, particularly the Red Cross and OSCE, began a special operation to find out the destiny of the copter crewmembers and accomplish tasks dictated according to those findings. As a result of special operation, the body of one pilot and remains of the other two crewmembers, as well as some important parts of the helicopter were recovered.