PKK rebel killed in clash in SE Turkey

One member of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) was killed in a clash with the Turkish security forces in southeastern Turkey, said an official statement reaching here Saturday. The clash between the Turkish security forces and the PKK militants took place late Friday in Eruh town of Siirt province and one village guard was wounded in the clash, said the statement issued by Siirt governor's office. The wounded village guard was taken to Siirt Military Hospital by helicopter for medical treatment, said the statement. It added that the Turkish security forces had launched a large-scale operation in fight against the PKK rebels in the region. 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.