They said the attack occurred in Yuksekova, near the border with Iraq and Iran, and warned the toll could go up.

A group of rebels probably crossed into Turkey from their bases in northern Iraq to attack the army post at Yesiltas, they said.

The NTV news channel said ground troops and combat helicopters were pursuing the assailants.

This mountainous region of Turkey is often the scene of violent clashes between security forces and rebels of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which escalate their attacks in the summer months.

Turkish warplanes generally bomb PKK hideouts in retaliations for attacks on troops.

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