Armenian Forces Kill Azerbaijani Soldier

Azerbaijan said Friday one of its soldiers had been shot dead by Armenian forces along the volatile border between the foes who are locked in a decades-long feud over the disputed region of Nagorny Karabakh.

"(Azerbaijani) army servicemen Eshgin Guliyev died as a result of a ceasefire violation on Thursday," Azerbaijan's defense ministry said in a statement.

"He was shot dead by a sniper."

Armenia and Azerbaijan have vowed to observe a ceasefire in the conflict during the Winter Olympic Games that open in the Russian city of Sochi on Friday.

The rivals said they would "strengthen observance of the ceasefire", mediators from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said on Thursday.

The OSCE has been spearheading attempts to negotiate a solution to the smouldering conflict, which has shown signs of reigniting in recent weeks.

Last month saw an increase in violence along the Azerbaijani-Armenian frontline, with both sides accusing each other of tit-for-tat raids and at least four soldiers killed.

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.

Around 20 soldiers from both sides were reportedly killed last year.