Kurdish rebels killed 24 Turkish soldiers and injured 18 in simultaneous attacks in southeast Turkey, a local security source said Wednesday.

The attacks by Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) rebels on Turkish troops occurred in several locations in Cukurca and Yuksekova in Hakkari province near the Iraqi border, during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, it said.

Television reports said the army had initiated an air-supported operation against the rebels in response and the head of the general staff and some commanders had gone to the region.

In response, Turkish troops crossed into northern Iraq on Wednesday in pursuit of the rebels after the simultaneous rebel attacks, a Kurdish news agency reported.

"Turkish soldiers from two separate points in Cukurca town crossed into south Kurdistan to follow (rebels)," said Firat news agency, which is known as a mouthpiece of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Clashes between the PKK and the army have escalated since summer.