Two soldiers killed in PKK ambush

DİYARBAKIR - Doğan News Agency (DHA)

DHA file photo

Two Turkish soldiers were killed in an ambush in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır this morning.
 
The attack that killed the troops began when suspected members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) detonated a powerful explosive device on a road near Diyarbakır's Lice province at around 7:30 a.m. 
 
No one was injured in the blast, which occurred 50 meters away from a special forces squadron patrolling the area, but soldiers proceeding to the blast zone to investigate the explosion were hit by gunfire by PKK militants hiding in the area. One noncommissioned officer and one specialist sergeant were reportedly shot and killed in the ambush. PKK militants withdrew after other soldiers in the squadron responded to the attack.
 
Commandos were sent in with helicopters and personnel carriers to provide reinforcements for the soldiers in the area and launch an operation to capture the assailants.
 
The PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.