Eight village guards were kidnapped by Kurdish guerrillas in Botan province, locals claimed. The reports are not confirmed by Kurdistan Workers Pary (PKK) or Turkish army officials.

Turkish news agency DHA also reported that eight village guards were kidnapped but it did not give any details.

Local media reports fierce clashes between PKK and Turkish military. According to latest reports the fighting broke out in Pervari, town of Siirt province in the late afternoon.

One village guard is reportedly wounded.

The province is a scene of Turkish military offensive against PKK militants for two days.

The violence between Turkish armed forces and the PKK guerrillas has escalated in recent weeks. At least 7 military personnel were killed in clashes between PKK and Turkish army since Thursday.