PKK attack backfires in Southeast

DİYARBAKIR - Doğan News Agency

The troops at an outpost in Lice thwart an attack by PKK militants. DHA photo

Turkish military forces thwarted an attack by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) on a military outpost in the Lice district of the southeastern province of Diyarbakır on Nov. 16.

PKK militants attempted to realize the attack through a tractor loaded with explosives, which they parked next to the outpost and detonated by remote control. The militants also raided the outpost using rocket launchers and long-barrel guns. No casualty or injuries were reported as a result of the raid.

Having received intelligence as to the possibility of an attack, the gendarmerie forces had taken series security measures and responded to the attack. The military forces started an air-borne operation to catch the runaway militants.

Diyarbakır Mayor Mustafa Toprak said no soldiers were killed or injured in the attack.

“A large pit was formed in the explosion area, but no casualties were reported from the outpost. Our security forces are continuing an operation, supported by air-forces, to catch the PKK militants,” he said.

“Having received series blows from our security forces in the region recently, the PKK militants attacked the outpost to retaliate. A few days ago three terrorists were killed in an attack they organized at the Narlı base region and two more were severely injured, according to the information we received. Later on we received intelligence confirming the death of these two terrorists,” Toprak added.