UPDATE - Police officer martyred in PKK attack in SE Turkey

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM MARDIN GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

By Halil Ibrahim Sincar and Mehmet Arif Altunkaynak

MARDIN, Turkey (AA) - A police officer was martyred and another injured in an armed attack by terrorist PKK organization in southeastern Turkey Friday, according to the regional governor’s office and a security source.

In a statement released to the media, Mardin Governor's Office said the PKK terrorists opened fire on police in Nusaybin district in Mardin province.

Two PKK terrorists were killed in the ensuing clashes. One injured PKK member was also captured, the statement added. Five more PKK terrorists were also killed in an ongoing operation in the region.

The governor's office emphasized that the fight against the separatist terrorist organization would continue with “determination” in order to ensure citizen's peace and security.

A car belonging to the PKK terrorists, two M16 infantry rifles, three Kalashnikovs, four hand grenades, 18 chargers and three binoculars were also seized, the statement added.

According to a security source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, a wounded policeman was also promptly taken to Nusaybin State Hospital.

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said another police officer had been injured taken to Nusaybin State Hospital.

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

Since then, more than 600 security personnel have been martyred and more than 7,000 PKK terrorists have been killed.