Turkish soldier killed in mine blast

ŞEMDİNLİ, Hakkari - Doğan News Agency (DHA)

DHA photo

A Turkish soldier succumbed to injuries he suffered after a land mine exploded during a military operation in the southeastern province of Şırnak today. 
 
Specialist Sgt. Yıldırım Kuzucular, 27, was severely injured after stepping on a land mine during a military operation on Mount Kato. He was taken to Şırnak Military Hospital by helicopter but could not be saved. 
 
Kuzucular's body was sent to his hometown of Sivas after a military ceremony in Şırnak.
 
Mortar attack on garrison
 
Meanwhile, suspected members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) launched mortars at the 27th Border Battalion in Hakkari's Şemdinli district at around 3 p.m. Numerous mortars fell in front of the garrison while two mortars fell in the nearby Gülmeşe village, striking a civilian vehicle and damaging a garden. No injuries were reported. 
 
Soldiers in the battalion responded by launching an artillery strike at the estimated location of the PKK militants.
 
The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.