2 PKK rebels killed, another captured in SE Turkey

The Turkish security forces killed two rebels of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) and captured another one during operations in the southeastern province of Siirt, an official statement said on Saturday. The statement, issued by Siirt Governor's Office, said that acting on a tip-off, the security forces staged operations in Eruh and Kurtalan towns of Siirt province, killing two PKK members and capturing a 14-year-old rebel. One village guard, who was injured during the operations, was taken to the Diyarbakir Military Hospital for treatment, it added. The PKK has recently intensified attacks on Turkish troops, police and civilians. Turkish officials vowed to reciprocate with absolute determination. Listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, the PKK took up arms in 1984 to create an ethnic homeland in southeastern Turkey. More than 40,000 people have been killed in conflicts involving the PKK during the past over two decades.