Kurdish guerrillas killed 24 Turkish soldiers in attacks on military posts in southeastern Turkey early on Wednesday, October 19, security sources told Reuters, the biggest single death toll for Turkish security forces in years.

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan canceled a planned visit to Kazakhstan after the attacks, sources in his office said.

At least 18 soldiers were also wounded when militants from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) opened fire on military outposts in Cukurca and Yuksekova districts in Hakkari province on the border with Iraq, the sources said, Reuters reported.

Earlier, the sources said 21 soldiers had been killed but later raised the toll. Turkey's armed forces could not be immediately reached for comment. The PKK did not immediately claim responsibility for the attacks.

The attacks come only a day after five policemen and three civilians, including a 2-year-old girl, were killed in a roadside bomb attack planted by suspected Kurdish rebels in nearby Bitlis province.

Wednesday's attacks also come only days after Turkish President Abdullah Gul visited troops in the region to boost morale in an area that has seen increased violence in recent months.

The PKK is considered a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.