“The clashes erupted after Azerbaijani security forces discovered weapons and ammunition in a vehicle during a stop and search to verify the information received. The opposing side opened fire and there were casualties and injuries from both sides as a result of the firefight,” the ministry said.

Three Armenian police officers and three Azerbaijani soldiers have been killed during the skirmish, according to local sources.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have long-standing tensions over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. (ILKHA)