Allahverdi Baghirov

Allahverdi Teymur oghlu Baghirov (; April 22, 1946 – June 14, 1992) was an Azerbaijani officer, former leader of the Azerbaijani Popular Front Party of Agdam, head coach of Qarabağ FK and named National Hero of Azerbaijan.

Early years Seven daughters were born before his birth in his family, and his parents gave him the name "Allahverdi" (meaning "God given"). Allahverdi Baghirov was born in Aghdam and studied at Aghdam school city number one in 1965. After graduating from school, he started working at Qarabagh FK as a head coach.

Football career Since childhood Allahverdi was fond of football, athletics and volleyball. He had an important role in victory of Aghdam in various sports interregional competitions during school years and later. He played for Aghdam "Karabakh" (then the team was called "Mehsul"), where he played as a striker under number "5". Allahverdi Baghirov's brother Eldar Baghirov (1951–1991) also played for Qarabagh FK and was a defender. In 1970, Allahverdi Baghirov was captain of Aghdam - Jabrayil match for the "Golden Spike" Cup in Fuzuli.

From 1966 to 1983 Baghirov was the coach of the Agdam Children and Youth Sports School and worked for the "Qarabagh" football club. In 1976, he was appointed the head coach of the club and Azerbaijan took the fourth place with his help in the same year, on the World Unity Championship. In 1991 he took part in match between professional footballers of Qarabagh FK and "Neftchi". The match ended with a score of 1:1, The goal scored in the game belonged to Allahverdi.

Former football player Mushfig Huseynov recalled Allahverdi Baghirov:''My first coach was the late National Hero Allahverdi Baghirov. Allahverdi muallim [teacher] taught us more about being honest than about football. He did a great job of preparing us for independent life. He really was a good example for the players.

Military service In 1988, he voluntarily enlisted in the Azerbaijani Army in the war against Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh region. In 1990, Baghirov created his own battalion and rescued many Azerbaijani citizens from Khojaly, while exchanging dead bodies of Azerbaijani soldiers with Armenian soldiers.

Participation in Karabakh War Baghirov supported small self-defense groups formed in the villages of Karabakh with financial assistance provided by the people of Aghdam and his own money. He fought in all battles of the Aghdam region. During the war, he was elected chairman of the Popular Front of Agdam. The flag of Independent Azerbaijan for the first time was raised by Allahverdi Baghirov in Aghdam.

In 1988, when an outpost was created between Askeran and Aghdam without authorization of the government, his brother Eldar Baghirov was first volunteer who went there when outposts were created in all villages bordering with Armenians.

In August 1991, Allahverdi was shot in the leg by his childhood associate and childhood friend Jafar Imamaliyev as a result of the conflict, when Baghirov sided with Rahim Gaziyev, the future minister of defense republic.

On October 1, 1991, under the command of Allahverdi Baghirov and his brother Eldar Baghirov, military units of the National Army of Azerbaijan were formed in Agdam. Eldar Baghirov was appointed commander of the Agdam Territorial Self-Defense Battalion No. 845. The battalion of 760 men was called "Sons of the Fatherland." Eldar Baghirov, a member of the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan who signed the Act on the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the same year, was mysteriously killed in front of his sister's house in the 4th district of Baku when he was returning from a meeting of the Supreme Council. After Eldar Baghirov's death, the battalion was given his name, and the battalion commander became Allahverdi Baghırov.

In January 1992, all the forces and techniques of the Armenians in Naxchivanli village was destroyed by Azerbaijani military units under the command of Allahverdi Baghirov, then progressed to the Askeran fortress with 150 warriors, created the opposite position with the village of Ketuk. It took just two hours for Allahverdi Baghirov's soldiers to complete the operation and replace Armenian flags with Azerbaijani flags. Allahverdi Baghirov was awarded the title of "General Mohammed Asadov" for this operation. Baghirov received Azerbaijani prisoners at Garagadjy cemetery in Agdam district, brought them by bus and handed them over to their family. It was Allahverdi Baghirov's first meeting with Vitaly Balasanyan on February 28 of 1992, two days after the Khojaly massacre.

Death On May 3, 1992, Baghirov was able to obtain information that Armenian forces were going to capture Shusha on the 8th. After passing this information to the state authorities, Allahverdi Baghirov summoned five soldiers to the headquarters and together with them began to develop a plan of action. The National Hero's Gold Star Medal was presented to Baghirov's wife by Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev. On November 27 the daughters of Allahverdi Baghirov, officers Zumrud Baghirova and Aynur Baghirova, visited their father's grave after 27 years. The grave of the National Hero was beautified Son - Elshan Baghirov (born 1972, Agdam) Daughter - Zumrud Baghirova, Colonel-Lieutenant of the State Border Guard Service of Azerbaijan; Grandson - Ali Alizadeh. Daughter - Aynur Baghirova, captain of medical service of the State Border Service of Azerbaijan. Grandson - Burkhan Pashazadeh.