Istanbul  - Two soldiers were killed in a landmine explosion in Turkey's eastern province of Van on Wednesday, local media reported.

The reports said the mine had been planted by members of the banned separatist Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK). Several soldiers were injured in the blast.

On Tuesday, eight soldiers were killed in clashes between the army and PKK militants.

The government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that more rights are to be extended to Kurds in Turkey, without providing details. Erdogan said the latest violence would not affect the government's plans.(dpa)