6 Dead in Clashes between Turkish Troops and Kurd Rebels

Three Turkish soldiers and three Kurdish rebels were killed overnight after the militants ambushed a military post and a base in southeastern Turkey, the Anatolia news agency reported Wednesday.

The simultaneous attacks launched by Kurdish rebels near Cukurca in Hakkari province which borders Iran and Iraq triggered fighting that lasted until the early hours, Anatolia said, quoting a statement from the local governor's office.

One Turkish soldier was also wounded, it added.

Cukurca is often the scene of intense fighting between Turkish forces and members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is labeled as a terrorist organization by Turkey as well as much of the international community.

The latest attack comes after a Turkish soldier and a villager were killed on Monday in clashes with Kurdish rebels in the same region.

About 45,000 people have been killed since the PKK took up arms for autonomy in Kurdish-majority southeastern Turkey in 1984.