10 soldiers killed in terrorist attack in SE Turkey

10 Turkish soldiers, 20 PKK militants killed in clashes

Ten Turkish soldiers were killed and seven were injured in attacks by suspected members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the southeastern province of Şırnak last night.

The PKK has launched numerous attacks on military bases around the province’s Beytüşşebap district.

The militants attacked the bases with rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and assault rifles at around 10 p.m., Şırnak Gov. Vahdettin Özkan said.

Clashes erupted at locations targeted by the PKK as soldiers returned fire. Nine Turkish soldiers were killed in the clashes and eight soldiers were initially wounded, four with serious injuries. One of the critically wounded soldiers later succumbed to his injuries at Şırnak Military Hospital, Anatolia News Agency reported.  

Local sources said about 20 PKK militants were killed in the clashes, according to Agence France-Presse.

Reports did not clarify which specific military bases were targeted in the attack. The bodies of the killed soldiers were to be sent to the southeastern province of Diyarbakır with helicopters today before being sent to their hometowns for burial.

The PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

03.09.2012
SOURCE: HURRIYET DAILY NEWS