According to the statement, the plane crashed on a mountain at an altitude of 2,200 feet (670 meters) after disappearing from radar 13 minutes later.

 Investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash, the statement said.

The ongoing conflict between Turkish security forces and PKK members in southeast Turkey has resulted in nearly forty thousand deaths since 1984 when PKK waged an insurgency against Turkish State. (ILKHA)