Baby killed in clashes between Turkish forces,rebels: medics

Image
AFP Diyarbakir
Last Updated : Dec 27 2015 | 11:13 PM IST
A three-month-old baby and her grandfather were killed when they became caught in the crossfire between Turkish security forces and Kurdish rebels in a flashpoint town, medics said today.
Three soldiers were also killed today in a roadside bombing by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the town of Cizre in the Kurdish majority southeast, the army said.
The baby, named Miray, was hit in the head when the family's house in Cizre was shelled on Friday night during street battles between Turkish forces and PKK rebels.
Her 73-year-old grandfather Ramazan Ince was then shot while he was carrying Miray to the ambulance, witnesses told AFP.
The baby died at the scene and her grandfather died later in hospital, medics said.
The family claims that the fire came from the direction of the state hospital in Cizre, which is controlled by Turkish security forces.
Tensions are running high throughout Turkey's restive southeast as security forces impose curfews in several towns including Cizre in a bid to root out PKK rebels from urban centres.
A bomb planted by "members of the separatist terrorist organisation" went off today as an armoured vehicle passed by in Cizre, killing three soldiers, the army said in a statement, referring to the PKK.
Another soldier and a police officer were injured but their lives were not in danger, it added.
The military offensive marks a new escalation in five months of fighting since the collapse of a ceasefire between the government and the rebels in July.
Residents of the towns under curfew are facing food shortages and problems with water and electricity supplies. Many homes have been damaged by shelling.
The army said yesterday that almost 200 militants have been killed in the latest military operation against the PKK since mid-December.
A cultural centre in the city of Sirnak was attacked Friday by PKK rebels with Molotov cocktails, and four students were injured, the state-run Anatolia news agency reported.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Dec 27 2015 | 11:13 PM IST

Next Story