At least 5 PKK militants killed in Turkey’s east

ANKARA/DİYARBAKIR

Security forces killed at least five outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants in eastern and southeastern Turkey, the military and security sources said on Aug. 19.

 

In a statement, Turkish Armed Forces said at least four militants, who were plotting an attack in Başkale district of the eastern province of Van, were killed in an air operation in the district in the early hours of Aug. 19. 

In the operation, military seized four guns, a rocket launcher, eight hand grenades and ammunition, including other documents allegedly belonging to the PKK.  

According to a statement from the Interior Ministry, the militants were suspected of being involved in the killing of ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) Özalp district deputy head Aydın Muştu in October 2016.  

They were also among the suspects for the killing of Muştu’s successor Aydın Ahi last month, the statement said. 

Separately, another PKK militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in the Hani district of the southeastern province of Diyarbakır, a gendarmerie source said.

The gendarmes also seized one M16 rifle, two hand grenades and a walkie-talkie in the operation, the source added.