DHAKA: Turkish ground forces have crossed into Iraq in pursuit of Kurdish militants for the first time since a ceasefire two years ago.

Government officials said the incursion was a ‘short-term’ measure to hunt down PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) rebels.

Turkish warplanes also launched a wave of air strikes on PKK bases in northern Iraq on Tuesday, reports the BBC.

Meanwhile, at least 14 Turkish police officers died in a bomb attack blamed on Kurdish militants on Tuesday.

The attack in eastern Igdir province came a day after suspected PKK bombs killed at least 16 Turkish soldiers in the south-eastern Hakkari region.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the PKK had suffered ‘serious damage’ inside and outside of Turkey and was in a state of ‘panic’.

‘Turkish security forces crossed the Iraqi border as part of the hot pursuit of PKK terrorists who were involved in the most recent attacks,’ a government source told the media.

‘This is a short-term measure intended to prevent the terrorists’ escape.’

BDST: 2157 HRS, SEPT 08, 2015
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