On June 19, Ibrahimov was killed in a shootout along the frontline between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces. Four Armenian soldiers also died in the shootout. An Azerbaijani Defense Ministrypress release said Mubariz Ibrahimov died while fighting back against Armenian soldiers in the Chayli village of the Terter region. The Azerbaijani government has attributed the deaths of the around 50 Armenian soldiers to Ibrahimov, and have posthumously granted him the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan. The Armenian side took Ibrahimov's body and did not return it." Armenia stated that Ibrahimov was shot dead in Armenian-controlled territory, proving that the fighting was provoked by Azerbaijani forces.
Body
The body of Mubariz Ibrahimov remained under Armenian control for 141 days. The spokesman of the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan Teymour Abdullayev alleged that "Armenia repeatedly claimed that the soldier's body is not in their hand and they even didn’t abstain to mislead the international organizations". On August 2, photos, which are claimed to be Ibrahimov's body, were placed on Internet by the Armenians". Azerbaijani authorities asked the ICRCInternational Committee of the Red Cross to mediate in returning Ibrahimov's body. Later the head of the Armenian Apostolic ChurchKarekin II asked the President of ArmeniaSerzh Sargsyan to return the body to Azerbaijan. Finally the body was returned to Azerbaijan on November 6 following the agreement reached by presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Astrakhan in October 2010. Mubariz Ibrahimov was buried at the second Alley of Honors in Baku. The funeral was attended by Azerbaijani PresidentIlham Aliyev.
Legacy
On July 22, 2010 President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree that conferred Ibrahimov with the status of national hero. The Cabinet of Ministers is empowered to ensure the naming of one of the secondary schools of Bilesuvar after Mubariz Ibrahimov and the executive powers of Bilesuvar are empowered to ensure the naming of one of the streets after Mubariz Ibrahimov. A documentary about his life was also proposed by MPGanira Pashayeva. On 15 June 2011, a four-meter tall granite statue of Mubariz Ibrahimov sponsored by Central Bank of Azerbaijan was unveiled in front of school named after him. An armada class tanker in Turkey also bears his name. The 12.7X108 caliber Mubariz Istiglal sniper rifle is named after him. He is also considered a National Hero in Turkey because of his Bravery shown in battle.
