The operation was launched against the PKK after a group of its members set 11 trucks on fire in Tunceli province over the weekend, said the statement issued by Agri governor's office.

It added that the security forces and the PKK members exchanged fire at 16:45 local time in Somkaya village of Dogubayazit town during the operation on Tendurek Mountain, killing the three PKK members.

Listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, PKK took up arms in 1984. Since then over 45,000 people have been killed in conflicts involving the party.