Operations in Tunceli: 1 Soldier, 15 PKK Militants Dead

8,000 soldiers took part in operations in the Pülümür and Nazimiye districts of Tunceli, in eastern Turkey, in the early hours of Sunday (28 October). One sergeant and fifteen PKK militants are said to have died.

According to the Yeni Safak newspaper, the soldier was killed when a PKK land mine exploded.

Intensified operations in Tunceli and Hakkari 

It is said that there is a large PKK presence in the area, and that the militants have buried land mines in a wide area in order to prevent an organised attack from the army.

Many high-ranking commanders are in the area and thus did not take part in yesterday's (29 October) formal celebrations of Republican Day.

According to Cnntürk, military operations in the area are continuing and are being supported by cobra helicopters.

NTV news said that the army has closed all escape routes into Northern Iraq and has trapped around 100 PKK militants around the Ikiyaka mountains in Hakkari, in the south-east of Turkey. Troops have been moved to that area in order to intensify operations there.

Fighting in the mountains of Sirnak 

Ground and air operations on the Cudi, Gabar, Küpeli and Kato mountains in the province of Sirnak are also being continued. 13 soldiers had died in the Gabar mountain area on 7 October.

Some roads in Sirnak are being searched for mines, with specially equipped soldiers. In Tunceli province, the Tunceli-Pülümür road has been closed for security reasons. (NZ/AG)