The assault rifle attack by militants from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) took place late Thursday in the town of Varto in Mus province, said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The assailants fled when police returned fire.

The PKK has significantly escalated attacks against Turkish targets after jailed rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan said in May that he was abandoning efforts for peace with Turkey and the rebels called off a unilateral truce last month.

Three soldiers and 12 PKK militants were killed in clashes Tuesday.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist group by Turkey and much of the international community, took up arms for self-rule in the Kurdish-majority southeast in 1984, sparking a conflict that has claimed some 45,000 lives.