2 police martyred by roadside bomb in east Turkey

VAN, Turkey

Two police officers were martyred Tuesday as bomb disposal experts attempted to defuse a roadside bomb planted by PKK terrorists in eastern Turkey, a security source said.

Another officer was injured in the incident in Ipekyolu district, Van province, the source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

An air-supported operation has been launched to catch the terrorists responsible.

Separately, three soldiers were injured in a roadside bombing in Mardin province, southeast Turkey, a separate security source said.

The soldiers were traveling through Midyat in an armored vehicle when the bomb was detonated, the source said.

The PKK - listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU - resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July. Since then, more than 430 security personnel have been martyred and over 3,800 PKK terrorists killed.