3 Turkish soldiers wounded in counter-terror operation

By Abdullah Celik and Aydin Arik

BINGOL, Turkey

Three soldiers were wounded Friday in an anti-terror operation that targeted the PKK in the eastern province of Bingol, a security source said.

The soldiers were injured by an improvised explosive placed by the terror group in a rural area of the Genc district, according to the source who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to media.

The soldiers, including a lieutenant, were sent to Bingol State Hospital for treatment but the lieutenant was reportedly in serious conditions, and was transferred to Elazig Firat University Hospital.

Justice and Development Party Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Bingol Governor Yavuz Selim Kosger and Ministry of Development Deputy Minister Yusuf Coskun visited the soldiers at the hospital.

"The terrorist organization once again showed that it has nothing sanctified. We condemn this treacherous attack in Ramadan, which was made shortly before eid," Yilmaz told reporters outside the hospital. He said one soldier suffered a broken leg and another sustained temporary hearing loss.

"The ongoing operations against the terror organizations will continue with determination," he added.

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.