Turkish Military Forces (TSK) has carried out military operations in the countryside of Batman and Siirt while the military operation continues in Uludere, a district of Þýrnak. In a statement posted on its website the Turkish General Staff on Saturday said that in Uludere allegedly 12 HPG (People Defense Forces) Kurdish guerrillas have lost their life between Friday and Saturday. According to the allegation, five of the bodies were taken by army helicopters to Þýrnak State Hospital’s morgue.

In its statement the TSK specified that the 12 guerrillas had lost their life in two separate operations conducted in southeastern Turkey.

Earlier Saturday, a gendarmery private was allegedly killed in a landmine explosion in mountainous region of Cukurca town of the southeastern province of Hakkari, the semi- official Anatolia news agency reported.

Events planned for tomorrow for the Kurdish Language Celebration Day have reportedly being called off in many cities as a sign of mourning for the 12 guerrillas who have lost their lives.