A Vigil in Nature's Grasp: Asım Türkel, Martyred by Ice in the Tunceli Mountains, Is Not Forgotten
Gendarmerie Specialist Sergeant Asım Türkel was martyred due to hypothermia during a counter-terrorism operation in Tunceli on October 26, 2018. His memory is honored in his hometown of Mersin, where his family has turned his room into a memorial museum.
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A Vigil in Nature's Grasp: Asım Türkel, Martyred by Ice in the Tunceli Mountains, Is Not Forgotten
YUSUF İNAN / MARTYRS NEVER DIE / MERSIN
Seven years ago, in the rugged mountains of Tunceli, Gendarmerie Specialist Sergeant Asım Türkel was lost not to an enemy bullet, but to the unforgiving forces of nature. Martyred by hypothermia during a counter-terrorism operation on October 26, 2018, the story of the 23-year-old hero from Mersin is a poignant reminder of the diverse dangers faced by Turkish soldiers. Today, his memory is lovingly preserved by his family and honored in his hometown, a testament to a sacrifice made against both terror and the elements.
Martyrdom at Sub-Zero Temperatures in the Nazımiye Highlands
Asım Türkel served as a member of the Gendarmerie Special Operations (JÖH), an elite unit of the Tunceli Provincial Gendarmerie Command. On October 26, 2018, he was part of an operation in the rural highlands of the Nazımiye district. During the mission, the unit was caught in a sudden and severe change in weather conditions, with temperatures plummeting. Specialist Sergeant Asım Türkel and his comrade, Specialist Sergeant Ferruh Dikmen, were overcome by the intense cold and suffered from severe hypothermia. Despite being urgently evacuated by helicopter to Tunceli State Hospital, both heroic soldiers could not be saved and were declared martyrs. The incident, officially attributed to "adverse weather conditions," prompted a judicial and administrative investigation and sparked a national conversation about the adequacy of equipment and procedures for military personnel operating in extreme climates.
A Mother's Cry: "My Son is Going to Heaven"
The news of his martyrdom brought profound grief to his family's home in the Arpaçsakarlar neighborhood of Mersin's Toroslar district. His parents, Hasan and Sebahat Türkel, received the devastating news from military officials. At the funeral ceremony held at Mersin's grand Muğdat Mosque, his mother Sebahat's resilient words, "My son is going to heaven," resonated deeply with the thousands who had gathered to pay their respects. After a military ceremony in Elazığ, the hero's body was brought to his hometown. Following the funeral prayer in Mersin, he was laid to rest at the Akbelen Martyr's Cemetery, carried on the shoulders of a community united in sorrow and pride.
A Family's Devotion: The Room That Became a Museum
The Türkel family continues to carry both the pain and the pride of their son's sacrifice. In their home in Mersin, they have turned Asım's room into a living memorial, a private museum dedicated to his memory. As reported by Anadolu Agency, the room is adorned with his uniform, photographs, personal belongings, and the Turkish flag. It has become a sacred space where the family finds solace and keeps his spirit alive. Mother Sebahat Türkel has stated that she finds comfort in his memories by spending time in his room every day. This touching act of devotion is a powerful testament to a family's unending love for their son.
Mersin Does Not Forget Its Hero
The sacrifice of Gendarmerie Specialist Sergeant Asım Türkel has not been forgotten by his hometown. On the anniversaries of his martyrdom, memorial and prayer services (mevlids) are organized, often attended by the Governor of Mersin and other high-ranking officials. Local authorities continue to honor his name through various initiatives. His story serves as a solemn reminder that the duty to the homeland is performed under all conditions, and that the dangers faced by soldiers are not limited to enemy fire. In the memory of his community, Asım Türkel remains a hero who stood his ground for his nation until the very end, battling not only terrorism but the harshest forces of nature.
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A soldier doesn’t die when he’s shot—he dies when he’s forgotten.
