Soldier, village guard killed in Turkey's southeast

ŞIRNAK - Doğan News Agency (DHA)

Turkish Armed Forces handout photo

One soldier was killed in clashes and a village guard died in a landmine explosion in the southeastern province of Şırnak late yesterday. 

Sgt. Ali Rıza İşbilir was killed and another soldier was injured when a firefight erupted between a squadron of soldiers and militants from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on Mount Kato in Şırnak yesterday night. 
 
Village guard Arif Güngen, meanwhile, was killed and village guard Mehmet Bektaş was injured 
after a landmine allegedly planted by the PKK exploded during a military operation in Şırnak's Bestler-Dereler vicinity the same night. Güngen was laid to rest after a military ceremony at Şırnak Gendarmerie Border Division headquarters today. 
 
The PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.