UPDATE - 8 security personnel martyred in southeastern Turkey

UPDATES DEATH TOLL WITH STATEMENT FROM TURKISH GENERAL STAFF, CHANGES HEADLINE, CORRECTS VILLAGE NAME ADDS MORE DETAILS

By Yilmaz Kazandioglu & Ali Kemal Akan

HAKKARI, Turkey (AA) - Six soldiers and two village guards were martyred in fighting with PKK terrorists in the southeastern province of Hakkari on Thursday, the military said.

Five terrorists were killed in the clash on the mountainous Iraqi border, according to a statement by Turkish General Staff.

The clash also injured two soldiers, leaving one in a critical condition.

Gunfire broke out as terrorists were crossing the border near the village of Ortaklar under heavy fog and bad weather conditions, the statement added.

Helicopters and troops were continuing to search for other terrorists.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015. Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians.