Today, NKR Defense Minister Movses Hakobyan responded to reporters who asked about recent rumors regarding a possible preemptive strike by Karabakh forces by stating that no such preparations were in the works. "The NKR Defense Forces are presently engaged in purely defensive measures, ensuring the security of the Karabakh people. But it can't be ruled out that we will mount an offense if the situation calls for one," DM Hakobyan declared. When asked by a "Hetq" reporter if the NKR Defense Forces weren't preparing to liberate the territories still under Azerbaijani control, like Shahumyan and a portion of Martuni, DM Hakobyan noted, "Naturally, our prime aim is the security of our people which can be ensured from ma defensive posture. But, a defensive war includes defensive measure, attack and counter-attack operations. Rest assured that we have honed all these operations and that corresponding measures are being enacted along these lines." The Defense Minister noted that the liberation of the territories in question falls within a general operation that can also be implemented if Azerbaijan resumes military operations. "We are planning for such steps that will force the enemy to once again quickly sit down at the negotiations table." DM Hakobyan added that the military capacities of the NKR armed forces are more than adequate to meet any challenges that might arise, adding that this doesn't mean that they are satisfied with what they have. Parallel to efforts to maintain what we have in a state of military preparedness, we are also procuring new weapons systems and equipment. DM Hakobyan stressed the air space over the NKR is also satisfactorily protected. He claimed that there isn't one square meter of Karabakh land that isn't being monitored and that the NKR is also monitoring enemy air space several kilometers behind its borders.