An earlier report put the death toll at seven.

The fighting in the Bitlis province also left dead three village guards, or government-armed Kurdish miltia supporting the Turkish army against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Another village guard was wounded, the report said, adding that the clash was ongoing.

Television said more troops were sent to the area and army helicopters were involved in the fighting.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organisation by Ankara and much of the international community, has been fighting for Kurdish self-rule in Turkey's mainly Kurdish east and southeast since 1984. The conflict has claimed more than 37,000 lives.