Police officer killed loses battle for life

MARDİN

One of three police officers who were injured during a mine attack in the southeastern province of Mardin’s Derik district on Oct. 15 succumbed to his injuries yesterday at Kızıltepe State Hospital.

The two colleagues of the deceased officer, Orhan Ayhan, were in good condition and receiving treatment at the same hospital. Recent violence and kidnappings in Turkey’s southeast have been widespread. In the southeastern province of Siirt’s Pervari district, outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) members blocked a road and abducted three female teachers and one village guard on temporary duty on Oct. 15, prompting the military to dispatch soldiers in response. Yesterday, the PKK released a separate school teacher, Filiz Sümer, who was kidnapped on Oct. 13.