Azerbaijani Forces Kill Karabakh Soldier: Separatists

Yerevan: Azerbaijani troops have shot dead a soldier from the separatist Nagorny Karabakh forces in the latest outbreak of violence along the disputed region's volatile frontline, the rebel defence ministry said on Wednesday.

"Private Armen Avetisian, 19, was shot dead by Azerbaijani troops on June 24 at the southern sector of the line of separation between Karabakh and Azerbaijani armed forces," the self-proclaimed state's defence ministry said in a statement.

The start of the year saw an uptick in violence along the frontline between arch-foes Armenia and Azerbaijan, with both sides accusing each other of launching tit-for-tat raids.

At least 17 soldiers from all sides have been killed so far this year with snipers frequently exchanging fire across the flashpoint frontier.

Armenia-backed separatists seized Nagorny Karabakh from Azerbaijan in a 1990s war that killed 30,000 people. Despite years of negotiations since a 1994 ceasefire, the two sides have yet to sign a peace deal.

Azerbaijan has threatened to take back the disputed region by force if negotiations do not yield results, while Armenia has vowed to retaliate against any military action.