Six soldiers were also wounded during the operations, Turkey's Defense Ministry said in a statement early on April 20.

The ministry had initially announced that two soldiers had been killed but later said that two other soldiers had succumbed to their injuries at a hospital.

The statement said the militants came under heavy fire from Turkish air operations and fire support.

It did not specify the name of the militant organization, but the Turkish military frequently conducts operations against the PKK in the area.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.

Reporter’s code: 50101