One soldier killed in clashes with the PKK

HAKKARİ - Doğan News Agency

Turkish military forces defuse 50 kilos explosives after discovering them along a highway in the eastern province of Tunceli. Operations continue in the area. DHA photo

One soldier was killed and three more were wounded in clashes with suspected members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) near the Hakkari-Şırnak border in southeastern Turkey.

Security forces made contact with a group of militants around 10 p.m. on the night of June 24 during operations in northern areas of the region. One specialist sergeant was killed and three more were wounded during the clashes. The funeral for 26-year-old Atanur Bal will be held in his hometown, Anamur, today. Operations are continuing in the area.

Meanwhile, a mine exploded after a military vehicle passed on a road in the eastern province of Van. No injuries were reported.

Turkish warplanes have carried out strikes on suspected PKK militant targets in northern Iraq, the Turkish General Staff said on its website on Sunday.

The General Staff said on its website it had hit “nine targets belonging to the separatist terrorist organization,” referring to the outlawed PKK, between June 22 and 24.