By Ekrem Payan

SIRNAK, Turkey

A shepherd was killed by PKK terrorists in southeastern Turkey’s Sirnak province on Thursday, according to a security source.

Salim Ecer, 67, was herding his sheep in Yeniaslanbasar village when he was approached by a group of PKK terrorists, the source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Ecer was reportedly shot three times in the head and chest by the terrorists in an ensuing argument, based on the testimonies of eyewitnesses near the scene.

Ecer was transferred to Sirnak State Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, the source added.

An operation has been launched to catch the terrorists.

The PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU – resumed its decades-old armed campaign last July.

Since then, PKK terrorist attacks martyred more than 600 security personnel and also claimed the lives of many civilians, including women and children, while more than 7,000 PKK terrorists were killed in army operations.