Turkish forces kill 13 PKK terrorists, inc. sniper

ANKARA

Turkish security forces killed 13 PKK terrorists, including one sniper, in an operation in the southeastern Hakkari province, said security sources.

Speaking on condition of anonymity as they are not authorized to speak to the media, the sources said the operation came after three PKK terrorists, including one sniper, were detected by the security forces en route to the Semdinli district from Yuksekova, Hakkari on Sunday night.

The sniper, known as "the guitarist," had reportedly been involved in weeks of fighting in Yuksekova.

In addition, the security forces killed ten other terrorists in the follow-up operation and captured three bixi rifles, five Kalashnikov rifles, four rocket-propelled grenades, one Kanas rifle, four pistols, and 2,000 cartridges as well as explosives.

The same sources said a sketched city map was found on the sniper with a house in the Yuksekova district marked, and security forces launched an operation on the house and seized 39 Kalashnikov rifles and 4,000 cartridges.

The PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU – resumed its 30-year armed campaign against Turkey last July.

Since then, more than 350 Turkish security personnel have been martyred and thousands of terrorists killed.