The rare cross-border strike hit targets some five kilometres (three miles) inside the border and came as part of an air-backed operation that has been going on for two days, according to NTV.

Two battalions of special units were flown into to carry out the raid on bases used by members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Turkish F16 fighter jets supported the operation.

There were no immediate reports on casualties.

The raid was "small-scale but effective," NTV reported, citing unnamed military sources.

Turkey frequently stages air strikes against PKK bases located across the Iraqi border but land operations are rarely seen in the mountainous zone.