Turkish soldier killed in clash with Kurd rebels

DIYBARKIR, Turkey, June 5 (Reuters) One Turkish soldier has been killed and eight others injured during a military operation against Kurdish rebel fighters in southeast Turkey, a regional governor said today.

The incident occurred last evening when members of the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) opened fire on the troops in mountainous Bingol province using long-range weapons.

''We will do what has to be done,'' said Vehbi Avuc, governor of Bingol, announcing the casualties and making clear that the military operation against the rebels would continue.

Last week, three soldiers and three village guards were killed in two separate clashes with the rebels in a province bordering Iraq, to the southeast of Bingol. Two PKK fighters were killed in Bingol province last Friday.

Ankara blames the PKK for the deaths of more than 30,000 people since the group launched its armed campaign for a separate Kurdish homeland in southeast Turkey in 1984.

Reuters SI RN1327