Four Turkish soldiers were killed and eight others were injured as PKK terrorists detonated explosives laid out on the road during military vehicle's passage in Şemdinli district of southeastern Hakkari province.

The explosion took place between Aktütün and Beyyurdu villages located on the border with Iraq, located about 70 km (45 miles) from the town of Şemdinli.

Wounded soldiers were transferred to hospital by helicopters.

A large scale operation with air support was launched in the area.

Security forces have been battling PKK terrorists in the southeast since a two and a half year long ceasefire collapsed in July 2015.

Turkish warplanes hit PKK targets overnight in southeast Turkey and northern Iraq, killing at least 10 fighters, security sources said.

The military has been carrying out regular air strikes against positions of the outlawed group in mountainous northern Iraq, where it has camps near the Turkish border.