Soldier, village guard killed in PKK attacks

ŞIRNAK / GÜMÜŞHANE

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One soldier and one village guard were killed on June 5 in two separate attacks by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the southeastern province of Şırnak and in the Black Sea province of Gümüşhane.

PKK militants attacked the Yeniaslanbaşar Gendarmerie Post on the Eruh Highway early on June 5 with long-barreled weapons. An armed clash erupted between soldiers and the fleeing militants. 

One village guard was heavily wounded during the clashes and transferred to Şırnak Military Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Meanwhile, one PKK militant was killed in the clashes.

In the afternoon hours, PKK militants attacked a gendarmerie vehicle with long-barreled weapons near the Harmancık Tunnel between the center of Gümüşhane and Torul district.

Specialized sergeants Özgür Tok and Salih Bulut were wounded in the attack. Tok later succumbed to his injuries at the Gümüşhane State Hospital. Bulut was transferred to another hospital for treatment.

Gümüşhane Gov. Yücel Yavuz said the soldiers were attacked while carrying out patrol duties, adding that operations were continuing to apprehend the PKK militants.