Commander Meliqset Poghosyan Moved by Tragic Loss Unlike Any During War

Today, on the Goris-Artsakh highway, near Shushi, a VAZ 3110 vehicle rolled into a ravine, resulting in the deaths of five people. All five were from the same family—the Avagyan family from the village of Tegh in the Goris region. In an interview with Hraparak.am, the legendary commander of the village's volunteer detachment and president of the Armenian National Youth Federation in Syunik, Colonel Meliqset Poghosyan (Melon), shared his deep sorrow.

“This is a modest family that lived a simple, honest life. The father, Avagyan Andranik, known as Ando, was a builder. His brother, Onik, served as one of my brave soldiers during the Artsakh war. They had three sons, all married, forming a vibrant family. Ando was heading to the burial with his wife and two sons. The youngest son’s wife was from Hadrut, and since a relative had died, they were going as a family for the ceremony. The youngest son’s wife was pregnant with their first child.

Commander Melon’s voice breaks as he recounts this tragedy: “The village of Tegh has never experienced such a loss even during the war—five losses from a single family. When shelling occurred, we advised not to keep the same family in the same shelter; they should seek refuge in different ones, just to be safe… For years during the war, we worked hard so that no one family would suffer such losses.” The legendary commander’s voice breaks.