3 PKK militants killed by airstrikes in eastern Turkey

Turkish airstrikes killed three Kurdish Worker's Party (PKK) militants in country's eastern Agri province, the General Staff announced in a written statement early Thursday.

The air operation took place on Wednesday, after the military received intelligence about terrorists plotting in rural areas of Eleskirt district, Agri.

The airstrikes also destroyed a shelter used by the militants, the statement added.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, has been striving for the establishment of an independent Kurdish state by armed combat since 1970s.

According to local media, the PKK has been responsible for the death of over 1,200 security personnel and civilians, since it resumed armed campaign against the Turkish government in July 2015 after a brief reconciliation period.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)