The Special Purpose Police Unit ( (XTPD); , ''OMON'') or OPON () was a police tactical detachment unit within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan Republic in the early 1990s formed during the

First Nagorno-Karabakh War The First Nagorno-Karabakh War was an ethnic conflict, ethnic and territorial conflict that took place from February 1988 to May 1994, in the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in southwestern Azerbaijan, between the majority ethnic Armenians of Nag ...

. The first body of the unit consisted of 3,000 policemen. The unit's missions primarily involve anti-irregular military, apprehension of armed and dangerous criminals, counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, executive protection, high-risk tactical law enforcement situations, operating in difficult to access terrain, protecting high-level meeting areas, providing security in areas at risk of attack or terrorism, quick raid to capture or kill (if necessary) high-value targets, special reconnaissance in difficult to access and dangerous areas, support crowd control and riot control, support military operations, and tactical special operations. The initial name of

OMON OMON is a system of military special police units within the Armed Forces of Russia. It previously operated within the structures of the Soviet and Russian Ministries of Internal Affairs (MVD). Originating as the special forces unit of the So ...

was changed to OPON after the Azerbaijani Declaration of Independence. The unit was dissolved by the government after an OPON revolt led by

Colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...

Rovshan Javadov on March 13, 1995. On March 17, 1995, security forces of Azerbaijan sieged and stormed the OPON headquarters in the outskirts of

Baku Baku (, ; ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Azerbaijan, largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region. Baku is below sea level, which makes it the List of capital ci ...

where Javadov, along with over 50 others, was killed.

References

Police of Azerbaijan Military of Azerbaijan Military police 1990 establishments in Azerbaijan Military units and formations of Azerbaijan Military units and formations established in 1995 Gendarmerie {{Azerbaijan-stub

See also

References