Shkurtov was one of the first figures and leaders of IMARO in his village. During the Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising he participated in the battle in the village , in the capture of Kleisoura, in the campaigns of the insurrectional forces in Kolonya and in other fights. After the uprising, together with his comrades he transferred to Greece, where they were originally arrested, but later were released and are offered to join the Greek Committee. Shkurtov wrote in his memoirs: