PKK kidnaps 3 Turkish soldiers

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- The Kurdistan Workers' Party kidnapped three Turkish soldiers in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir Tuesday, officials said.

Diyarbakir Gov. Mustafa Toprak said the group had blocked off the Lice-Bingol highway near Ergin Village and abducted the three soldiers, who were traveling by bus.

Today's Zamman reported the military had launched a search for the soldiers.

The Kurdistan Workers' Party, otherwise known as the PKK, is an armed resistance group aimed at achieving autonomy for Kurdistan and equal rights for Kurds in Turkey. The Turkish government, as well as the U.S. State Department, the U.K. Home Office and the European Union, consider the PKK as a terrorist organization.