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Turkish soldier killed in Kurdish rebel attack

ANKARA, Sept 19, 2007 (AFP) - Separatist Kurdish rebels opened fire overnight on a paramilitary police station in southeastern Turkey, killing a soldier and leaving another injured, Anatolia news agency reported Wednesday.

The security forces launched an operation in the province of Bitlis to hunt down the perpetrators, who belonged to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the report said.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey and much of the international community, notably stepped up violence this year.

The group has waged a bloody armed campaign for self-rule in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish east and southeast since 1984. The conflict has claimed more than 37,000 lives.