Turkish soldier killed, three others injured in PKK clash in southeast

Three other soldiers were injured in the clash that took place in the Bestler-Dereler region in the southeastern province of Sirnak, the agency said. 

News agencies earlier reported Turkish security forces had conducted a widespread ground operation in the region with the support of military helicopters.

The clash comes three days after the PKK announced it would halt its armed attacks against Turkish targets until July 15. In April, the terror organization PKK announced it would suspend armed attacks until June 1; however, dozens of Turkish security forces have been killed in attacks carried out by the organization within this period.   

Turkish army chief Ilker Basbug rejected calls for the army to cease operations as a peace overture to the PKK, in comments published in the Hurriyet newspaper on Thursday.

"Nobody should expect the Turkish armed forces to cease operations for peace or stay quiet or stand in the corner," he said.

"I will neither stop nor wait for the terrorists to come. On the contrary, I will seek them out and exterminate them."

Photo: DHA