1 soldier martyred in eastern Turkey blast

By Ekrem Payan

SIRNAK, Turkey (AA) - A soldier was martyred when an improvised explosive device planted by the PKK terror group blew up in southeastern Sirnak province on Tuesday, according to a regional governor's office.

In its statement, the governor's office said the soldier got seriously wounded in Soru Tepe area in the central district early morning during an anti-terror operation launched on Monday in the province.

He later succumbed to his wounds at the Sirnak State Hospital.

The anti-terror operation in the area continues, the statement added.

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

Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including a number of women and children.