Five PKK terrorists killed in Tunceli

The clash between the terrorists and Turkish troops broke out late Sunday during a routine patrol in the predominantly Kurdish province of Tunceli, according to an official from the governor’s office.

One soldier was also injured in the fighting on Sunday night in the Mazgirt and Nazimiye districts of mountainous Tunceli province. An official said 4,000 soldiers were taking part in the operation, supported by helicopters. It began after around 25 militants were located in the region.

According to the Anatolia news agency, a woman was among the killed militants.

The terrorist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK/Kongra-gel) are fighting for autonomy in Turkey’s southeast and violence has increased in recent weeks.

The PKK suspended hostilities in 1999 following the capture of their leader, Abdullah Ocalan. But they recently announced an end to the truce, saying Turkey had not responded in kind. The PKK launched an armed campaign for an ethnic homeland in the southeast in 1984 and more than 30,000 have been killed in the fighting.

One soldier was killed and another injured on Saturday when their vehicle ran over a landmine planted by terrorists in the southeast.