At least 5 PKK militants killed in Turkey's east

Security forces killed at least five outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants in eastern and southeastern Turkey, the military and security sources said on Aug. 19.

In a statement, Turkish Armed Forces said at least four militants, who were plotting an attack in Başkale district of the eastern province of Van, were killed in an air operation in the district in the early hours of Aug. 19. Separately, another PKK militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in the Hani district of the southeastern province of Diyarbakır, a gendarmerie source said. The gendarmes also seized one M16 rifle, two hand grenades and a walkie-talkie in the operation, the source added.