On August 21, a farewell ceremony was held for Lieutenant Colonel Rashad Atakishiyev, a military pilot of the MiG-29 aircraft of the Air Force of Azerbaijan, which crashed during scheduled night training flights.
Assistant to the President for Work with Law Enforcement Bodies and Military Issues - Head of the Department Fuad Aleskerov, Minister of Defense Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Chief of State Security Service Lieutenant General Ali Naghiyev, officers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, employees of the Turkish military attaché’s apparatus and members of the public participating in the farewell ceremony organized at the Training and Education Center of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan have expressed condolences to the parents and relatives of the pilot..
Honored Art Worker, Colonel Abdulla Gurbani speaking at the ceremony informed about the life and military path of Lieutenant Colonel R. Atakishiyev. It was reported that R. Atakishiyev was born on January 7, 1985, in the village of Alabashly of the Samukh District. He graduated from a secondary school named after shehid (martyr) Shokhrat Huseynov in the village of Gilindzhbeyli of the Shamkir District. In 2002, he entered the High Military Aviation School and in 2006 graduated from this school. He made every effort for a more in-depth study of profession chosen by him and had served up to the military rank of “Lieutenant Colonel”.
During his service in the Azerbaijan Army, R. Atakishiyev proved to be a professional, exemplary officer and patriot. His merits have always been highly appreciated. He had been awarded various medals for the distinction in fulfilling the tasks assigned to the military unit.
His exemplary flights during the "Turaz Qartalı" joint flight and tactical exercises of the Air Forces of Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as during last year's grand military parades, were highly appreciated.
Speaking at the ceremony, the officers of Azerbaijan Air Force Colonel Elshad Panahov and Colonel Zaur Rustamov emphasizing that they are proud to have served together with such a patriot officer as Rashad, noted that there are many Rashad-like servicemen in the Azerbaijan Army. They expressed deep condolences to the family members and relatives of the deceased officer and said: "Long live the Motherland!"
The pilot’s father, Saleddin Atakishiyev expressed his gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, for the urgent measures taken to search for the body of his son, who died in an aircraft crash, and for organizing a high-level funeral in accordance with military rituals and honors. He said: “I am proud of my son Rashad and the fact that today his coffin is covered with the three-colored flag of Azerbaijan. My son lived with the desire to participate in the battles for the liberation of the occupied territories. Unfortunately, his wish did not come true. Today once again I assure all of you that along with my two sons, I am ready to fight for Karabakh by order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Long live the Motherland! May the Almighty Allah rest the souls of our shehids (martyrs)!”
After the family and relatives’ farewell with the deceased ended, the body of Lieutenant Colonel Rashad Atakishiyev with a mourning march performed by a military band was sent to the II Alley of Honors for burial.
The body of Lieutenant Colonel R. Atakishiyev was transferred to the ground under the arms salvo fire and the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan following military and religious rituals. The flowers and wreaths were laid on the grave on behalf of the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Emergency Situations, the State Security Service, as well as the Air Force and other structures.
Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Ramiz Tahirov handed the family of the deceased serviceman the tricolor flag of Azerbaijan, which covered the coffin, for eternal and commemorative storage.
The spouse of officer R. Atakishiyev, Kyonul Atakishiyeva has accepted the flag and said: “I will bring up Turgut and Gabil, who have remained in memory from Rashad, worthy of his name, in the spirit of adherence to this flag. Long live the Motherland!”.
A religious figure offered a prayer for the repose of shehids' souls.
The father-in-law of pilot Rashad Atakishiyev, Professor Gabil Huseynli has expressed gratitude to the head of state and the leadership of the Ministry of Defense for the great attention and care given to the officer’s family.