Turkish officer succumbs to injuries from PKK attack

BITLIS, Turkey

A Turkish officer Friday succumbed to his injuries sustained in a PKK terror attack in eastern Turkey, according to security sources.

Zafer Akkus, a major gendarme commander, died while being treated at a hospital in eastern Bitlis province, said the security sources on condition of anonymity.

The officer was heavily wounded when PKK terrorists attacked a civilian vehicle in the Caliduzu village.

Operations are ongoing in the region against the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey as well as the U.S. and European Union.

In its terror campaign against Turkey, which has lasted more than three decades, over 40,000 people have been killed, including women and children.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar