From correspondents in Ankara, Turkey, 09:31 AM IST

At least 14 rebels of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) were killed Tuesday in a clash with the security forces in eastern Turkey, a media report said.

Five security personnel were also killed in the clash, Anatolia news agency reported. The incident took place in the eastern Bitlis province.

The security forces have launched an operation against the PKK rebels in the area. The operation is still continuing, the report said.

The group has been fighting the government since 1984 for an ethnic homeland in southeastern Turkey. About 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

The US and Turkey has listed the PKK as a terrorist organisation.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)