By Necat Hazar

VAN, Turkey

A Turkish soldier and a village guard were martyred when they were hit by an improvised explosive device planted by PKK terrorists in eastern Van province on Friday, according to a military source.

The incident took place in the province’s Catak district, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions in the area, said.

An anti-terror operation against the PKK terrorist group was launched in the area.

More than 1,200 people, including security force personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015.