VAN, Turkey

Police in western Turkey caught a suspected PKK terrorist accused of martyring a soldier five years ago in the eastern Van province, security sources said on Wednesday.

The suspect T.O., codenamed Welat, reportedly worked in the terrorist PKK in 2015-2019, added the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

He reportedly took part in attacks martyring a soldier in the eastern Van province in 2016, blocking roads in Beytussebab in the eastern Sirnak province, and placing roadside bombs in Erziki in the eastern Hakkari province.

Counterterrorism police teams caught him in Kutahya province, and later he was placed under arrest by a court.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

*Writing by Merve Berker