A mortar attack by PKK terrorists targeting a gendarmerie outpost in southeastern Turkey Monday resulted in the death of an illegal migrant and injured five others waiting for their asylum procedures to be completed.

Security forces told Anadolu Agency that the terrorist group fired some 32 mortar rounds across the border from northern Iraq on the Derecik Border Battalion Command in Şemdinli district of southeastern Hakkari province.

One of the shells landed in an area near the military zone's entrance, where illegal migrants, including Syrian nationals, were being held for border procedures

One Syrian was killed in the blast, whereas five others were injured and taken to hospitals. Two of the injured remain in critical condition.

The military launched an air-backed operation to capture the terrorists.

The PKK terrorist organization has waged a terror campaign against the Turkish state for more than 30 years that has led to the deaths of more than 40,000 people.

Designated as a terrorist group by the U.S, Turkey and the EU, the PKK is also involved in the production and trafficking of illegal drugs.

According to Turkey, the PYD and its armed wing the People's Protection Units (YPG) are also terrorist groups, considered the Syrian offshoots of the PKK.

However, the U.S. considers the PYD/YPG to be a "reliable partner" in the fight on the ground in Syria and continues to support them in the field. The terrorist group currently operates in northern Syria and controls areas of land near the Turkish border.