Deputy Director of the Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) Colonel Armen Abazyan today reports that 37 Armenian border guards have been killed in fighting since Azerbaijan launched military operations against Artsakh and Armenia.

Abazyan, at a press conference today, said that 243 Armenian border guards have been wounded and that four are missing.

The official said the NSS is investigating cases of high treason, espionage, spreading false news among servicemen, the activities of checkpoints operating in Armenia, information security, cybercrime, false publications posted on the Internet and other cases.

Referring to the case of treason and espionage, Abazyan said that the NSS had revealed a case of Azerbaijani recruiting a former high-ranking Armenian military officer who collected secret military information and passed it along to Azerbaijan.

 In another case, foreign citizens in Armenia obtained information on army recruitment, the movement of equipment and transportation. In both cases, the NSS has launched criminal investigations.

Abazyan said the NSS is monitoring security checkpoints set up in Armenia.

More than ten roadway checkpoints have been set up in the provinces of Ararat, Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik and Syunik to detect the possible infiltration of Azerbaijani subversive groups.

Abazyan said that several shipments of arms and ammunition to Armenia had been halted.