Three Turkish soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel, were killed after clashes over two days with the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the Dağlıca area of Hakkari on Saturday.
According to a statement released by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), 17 terrorists were killed by security forces during operations carried out against the PKK in the region over the past two days. The clashes also left three security force members dead and six others injured, the statement said, adding that one of those injured was in critical condition.
One of the troops killed was identified as Lt. Col. İhsan Ejdar.
The TSK said clashes are still continuing in the region.
"One of the soldiers martyred in Dağlıca is the battalion commander. Operations are continuing," President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told reporters during a trip to northern Cyprus.
"Operations will continue until peace is attained. It is the job of the state to protect its citizens and the country."
Security sources said the operation around Dağlıca included special forces units and air support.
Turkish air strikes against PKK bases in Hakkari, close to the borders with Iran and Iraq, killed 11 suspected militants on Friday and destroyed weapons depots and shelters, the military said in an earlier statement on Saturday.
The Dağlıca region has been frequently the scene for clashes between the PKK and security forces. Earlier last month, 16 soldiers were killed in an ambush by the PKK in Dağlıca.
Around 150 members of the security forces have been killed by the PKK since the suspension of a settlement process which had been launched by the government to resolve the country's Kurdish issue and terrorism problem.
The process, in place since the end of 2012, was suspended by the government before a general election in early June. The PKK attacks against security forces began in late July.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government, which was in power until an interim government took office in August following a general election on June 7, has been much criticized by the opposition for turning a blind eye to the strengthening of the PKK during the process.