Soldier killed in clash with PKK rebels in eastern Turkey

A soldier of the Turkish security forces was killed in a clash with members of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in eastern Turkey on Tuesday, the semi- official Anatolia news agency reported.

A group of PKK rebels raided an under-construction hydroelectric power plant in Dinar Deresi region of Tunceli province. The Turkish security forces launched an operation, backed by helicopters, to neutralize the PKK members who fled after the raid, the report said.

A Turkish soldier died in the clash, according to the report.

Established in 1978, PKK started its armed struggle in 1984 with the objective of setting up an independent Kurdistan within Turkey's borders.

Since 1984, PKK's murders and attacks resulted in the death of about 40,000 Turkish citizens, among whom were innocent civilians, teachers and other public servants.

Source: Xinhua