4 soldiers martyred in PKK terror attack in SE Turkey

By Soner Kilinc, Ekrem Payan, Ozgur Ayaydin

SIRNAK, Turkey (AA) - Four soldiers were martyred and nine others injured in an armed attack by terrorist PKK organization in southeastern Turkey, according to a security source Wednesday.

Speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, the source said the PKK terrorists attacked the soldiers in Habur 2 area of Uludere district in Sirnak province.

The wounded soldiers, one in critical condition, were first sent to Uludere state hospitals, then airlifted to Sirnak military hospital, the source added.

Initial reports had put the death toll at five.

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, over 600 security personnel, including troops, police officers and village guards have been martyred and more than 7,000 PKK terrorists killed or neutralized in operations across Turkey and northern Iraq.

*Emin Avundukluoglu contributed to this story from Ankara.