2 soldiers martyred in SE Turkey mine blast

By Sinan Uslu and Hasan Namli

DIYARBAKIR/ ANKARA, Turkey

Two soldiers were martyred Tuesday after stepping on a mine planted by PKK terrorists in Turkey's southeastern province of Diyarbakir, according to the governor's office.

The incident happened during an ongoing counterterrorism operation in Lice district, a statement said.

Separately, three PKK terrorists including a woman were killed in a drone-backed operation in the eastern province of Tunceli, according to a statement from the Interior Ministry.

More than 1,200 people, including security personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its decades-long armed campaign in July 2015.