Karachi, July 8, 2025:
Pakistan expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of 12 Turkish soldiers who died due to methane gas exposure during a search operation in northern Iraq.
The Turkish Defence Ministry reported that the soldiers were part of a mission in the Claw-Lock Operation Zone aimed at recovering the remains of Infantry Lieutenant Nuri Melih Bozkurt. He had been killed in 2022 during clashes with Kurdish militants.
According to the ministry, 19 soldiers were exposed to methane gas inside a cave located 852 meters above sea level in the Metina region. The gas is colourless and odourless, making it highly dangerous in confined spaces.
Initially, five soldiers died on Sunday, and despite emergency medical care, seven more lost their lives on Monday. The conditions of the remaining seven soldiers are currently unknown.
The cave had previously been used by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as a field hospital. The Claw-Lock Operation, launched in April 2022, aimed to remove PKK presence from northern Iraq.
This tragic incident is one of the most serious non-combat losses for Turkish forces in recent years. It highlights the dangers faced during recovery missions in hazardous environments.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued a statement expressing heartfelt condolences and prayed for mercy on the martyrs. The statement emphasized Pakistan’s strong solidarity with brotherly Turkiye during this difficult time.
Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler and senior military officials traveled to the region to oversee inspections and attend the funerals. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also expressed deep grief and sympathies to the families of the fallen soldiers.
The tragedy comes amid ongoing peace talks between Turkey and the PKK, who recently declared intentions to cease armed conflict. The methane gas exposure adds urgency to finding a peaceful resolution to the decades-old conflict, which has claimed over 40,000 lives.
Also read: How Turkiye, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan are strengthening their military ties in the latest defense cooperation update.
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