Turkish soldier succumbs to wounds in Tunceli hospital

By Haydar Toprakci

TUNCELİ, Turkey (AA) – A Turkish soldier seriously wounded by a clash with terrorists in Tunceli, eastern Anatolia succumbed to his injuries Wednesday, making him a martyr to the defense of Turkey, according to security sources.

The sergeant had been receiving treatment at Tunceli State Hospital, after being wounded in an encounter with terrorists in the midst of anti-terror operations, said the sources, who asked not be named due to restrictions on speaking with the media.

During the clash, two terrorists were also neutralized, the sources added.

The operation continues under heavy snow, with air and land reinforcements sent to the region.

Over 1,100 people, including security personnel and civilians, have lost their lives in PKK attacks since the terrorist organization resumed its decades-old campaign in July 2015.

Since then, PKK attacks have left over 800 security personnel martyred and over 300 civilians dead. Over 4,000 security personnel and over 2,000 civilians have been injured.

In anti-terror operations, more than 10,000 PKK terrorists have been killed or apprehended. Around 5,500 weapons and 652,000 rounds of ammunition have been seized, along with some 142 tons of explosives and 15,000 bombs.