21 soldiers injured in southeast Turkey bomb attack

DIYARBAKIR

Twenty-one Turkish soldiers were injured Tuesday when an improvised bomb planted by PKK terrorists exploded in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir, the military said.

According to a statement by the Turkish General Staff, the blast targeted an armored vehicle as it travelled on the Diyarbakir to Silvan highway near Bagdere at around 3.20 p.m. local time (1320GMT).

The statement added: “The vicious attack that was committed by the separatist terrorist organization has grieved the members of the Turkish Armed Forces deeply. We wish a speedy recovery for all our comrades in arms that were injured during the attack.”

The wounded soldiers were taken to hospital in Diyarbakir. Local officials said their injuries were not life-threatening.

The PKK - considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU - resumed its armed campaign in late July. More than 150 members of the security forces have been martyred in the violence while the military says it has killed around 2,000 terrorists.