Islam Times - Four soldiers killed in roadside bomb blast in southeast Turkey

Islam Times - Four Turkish soldiers have been killed by a roadside bomb planted by members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the southeastern province of Hakkari.

The blast took place on Saturday afternoon when a military convoy was passing on the Hakkari-Cukurca highway, according to a statement released by Hakkari governor's office.

The statement added that five other soldiers were wounded in the mine blast.

Security forces have launched a large-scale investigation into the incident, and a manhunt is underway to apprehend the perpetrators.

Turkish authorities say army has killed more than 80 PKK members in Hakkari over the past week in a major operation involving air strikes and several thousands of ground troops.

A recent statement issued by the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces said that a total of 330 PKK militants were killed in 974 military operations from February to August.

PKK has been fighting for an autonomous Kurdish region inside Turkey since the 1980s. The conflict has left tens of thousands of people dead.