According to the Turkish government, the clashes started when a large force of PKK guerrillas attacked government buildings in Şırnak on the night of August 18, and that security forces responded by bombing, heavy shelling and firing on rebel positions in local houses and shops. The PKK however denied they had launched the attacks that sparked the battle, which continued for over 48 hours. Following the battle a curfew was imposed in the town. Similar operations were later launched in the towns of Kulp in Diyarbakır Province on October 3, 1992, and Varto in Muş Province on September 17, 1996.