PKK launches twin attack in eastern Turkey

By Haydar Toprakci

ERZURUM, Turkey

A soldier was martyred and three police officers seriously injured early Monday in clashes with PKK terrorists in the eastern province of Tunceli, police said.

The casualties came in simultaneous attacks on a gendarmerie command post and a police station in the town of Nazimiye, a police source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The injured officers were taken to Tunceli State Hospital before being transferred to Elazig Firat University Hospital by a helicopter.

Following the attacks, a curfew was imposed in the district and security forces launched an operation to catch the attackers.

Last week, at least 21 people including security forces members were killed in PKK attacks in eastern and southeastern Turkey. The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization also by the U.S. and EU -- resumed its 32-year armed campaign in July last year, since when more than 600 security personnel have been martyred and around 7,000 PKK terrorists killed.