PKK terrorists martyr 2 soldiers in eastern Turkey

ELAZIG, Turkey

Two soldiers were martyred in eastern Turkey's Tunceli province Monday following a clash between security sources and PKK terrorists, a military source said.

The soldiers had succumbed to their wounds at the Elazig Firat University Hospital, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

An operation was launched in the region to nab the terrorists.

Additionally, 14 shelters belonging to the PKK terrorist group were detected in Tunceli and eastern Bingol provinces and many materials used in making explosives were seized, the Turkish military announced Monday.

The Interior Ministry also said in a statement Monday 49 PKK terrorists had been neutralized in Turkey during operations in the recent week.

The statement said 25 PKK terrorists had been “neutralized” in countrywide operations, 14 of whom were dead.

Also, 24 PKK terrorists were neutralized in operations carried out by drones during the same period.

The statement said 40 improvised explosive devices had been defused by gendarmerie's special operation teams and commando units during 294 operations. Also, 127 shelters were also destroyed. A bomb-laden vehicle was also stopped while many explosives and ammunition were seized during the operations.

In addition, 269 people were captured for aiding and abetting the PKK, it added.

During anti-drug operations that aim to block the terrorist organization's income source, many narcotic substances were captured while 762 people were detained.

In addition, 31 improvised explosive devices were seized by police in Turkey's southern province of Adana, a police source said.

The explosives were found in a woodland in the neighborhood where PKK supporters organized an illegal demonstration.

Reporting by Bestami Bodruk, Haydar Toprakci, Cankut Tasdan,Sertac Bulur, Sarp Ozer, Yusuf Koyun and Omer Yildiz ;Writing by Tutku Senen