UPDATE - 7 Turkish soldiers martyred in PKK terror attack

UPDATES THE NUMBER OF MARTYRS FROM 4 to 7; CHANGES HEADLINE, SPOT, LEDE

By Muhyeddin Beyca and Ahmet Isik

BATMAN, Turkey (AA) - Seven Turkish soldiers were martyred and two others wounded in a PKK terror attack on Thursday in southeastern Batman province, according to local sources.

In a statement, the Batman Governor’s Office said four soldiers were martyred, five others wounded in rural area of Gercus district.

The terrorists detonated an improvised explosive planted in the road when an armored military vehicle passed through the area, it added.

Later, three soldiers succumbed to their wounds at the Batman Region State Hospital, said a health officer, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Two wounded soldiers are under treatment, the source added.

A wide-scale operation is ongoing in the area to nab the terrorists.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the death of some 40,000 people, including women and children.