The fighting erupted in a mountainous area in Tunceli province, where the military was carrying out an operation against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), said a statement on the army's website.

The troops also seized four automatic rifles, 10 hand grenades and other ammunition, it said.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist group by Turkey and much of the international community, took up arms against Ankara in 1984, sparking a conflict that has claimed about 45,000 lives.