Soldier martyred in PKK clash in eastern Turkey

By Cuneyt Celik and Kagizman Ali Celik

KARS, Turkey

A clash between security forces and PKK terrorists left one soldier martyred in the eastern province of Kars on Tuesday, the governor said.

Rahmi Dogan told Anadolu Agency that an operation was launched Monday night against the PKK in Kagizman district, with a gunfight ensuing midday Tuesday.

"One of our soldiers was injured, but he could not be saved despite medical intervention," Dogan said, adding four PKK terrorists were killed in the clash.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, and resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015.

Since then, PKK terrorist attacks have martyred more than 600 security personnel and also claimed the lives of many civilians, including women and children, while more than 7,000 PKK terrorists were killed in army operations.