Istanbul, June 18, SPA -- Turkish troops killed eight moresuspected leftist militants in clashes in southeasternTurkey Saturday, raising the death toll from the fightingto 17, an official said. Security forces killed nine militants around noon Fridaynear the town of Ovacik in eastern Tunceli. The militantswere believed to be members of the banned Maoist CommunistParty, a small militant group that is active in and aroundthe Tunceli region. Fighting continued throughout the night and soldierskilled eight more militants early Saturday, raising thetoll to 17, The Associated Press quoted a local official as saying.--SPA1147 Local Time 0847 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/270681