Soldier martyred in PKK terror attack in southeastern Turkey

HAKKARI, Turkey

A soldier was martyred during a PKK attack in southeastern Hakkari province on Saturday, according to a military source.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said PKK terrorists had used mortar in the attack in the province's Semdinli district.

A large-scale operation was underway to nab the terrorists.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July last year. Since then, more than 300 civilians and nearly 800 security personnel have been martyred. Around 8,000 PKK terrorists have been killed or apprehended.

*Reporting by Yilmaz Kazandioglu; Writing by Ahmet Sait Akcay