3 terrorists 'neutralized' in southeast Turkey

By Jeyhun Aliyev

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces "neutralized" three terrorists in the country’s southeastern Hakkari province, the Interior Ministry said on Monday.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in statements to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

The terrorists were neutralized by provincial Gendarmerie Command in rural Hakkari -- bordering Iraq -- amid internal security operations, the statement said.

Operations are ongoing in the region, it added.

Though the statement did not mention a specific terrorist group, Turkey has long been conducting operations against the PKK terrorist organization in the region.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children.