Turkish soldier succumbs to wounds in eastern province

By Ibrahim Yaldiz and Necat Hazar

VAN, Turkey (AA) - An injured Turkish soldier was martyred at a hospital in eastern Van province Thursday, a security source said.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said the soldier, who succumbed to wounds, was one of the two soldiers who got injured in a gun battle with PKK terrorists on Van-Hakkari highway in Baskale district on July 3.

He was getting recovery treatment in Van Yuzuncu Yil University Hospital.

Meanwhile, one PKK terrorist was killed in southeastern Mus province, a statement said Thursday.

Mus Governor’s Office said the security forces launched a counter-terrorism operation using unmanned air vehicles in Kizilagac town of the central district in the province.

One Kalashnikov rifle with five magazines and 150 cartridges were also seized by security forces in Senyayla area in the town.

More than 1,200 people, including security personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its decades-long armed campaign in July 2015.