Turkish security forces are maintaining a relentless operation to root out Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK) rebels from two urban centers in the country’s troubled south-east region, which has left at least 62 militants dead and angered Kurdish representatives.

Kurdish activists and politicians have accused the army of acting with impunity and pounding large parts of the towns to rubble; Guardian reported.

With the crackdown in its fourth day on Friday, a Turkish soldier was killed in intense clashes with the PKK, the army’s first fatality in the operation, the army said.

The operation in the towns of Cizre – where the soldier died – and Silopi in Şırnak province began on Tuesday, backed by blanket curfews and air power, with 36 militants killed on Thursday alone, according to the army. So far, 56 militants have been killed in Cizre and six in Silopi, the army said.

The vast operation reportedly involves 10,000 troops led by six generals and is one of the largest launched by Turkey in urban centers inside its territory.

The government says the operation is needed to eliminate militants who were effectively taking over the towns by building barricades and digging trenches.

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