4 PKK terrorists 'neutralized' in southeastern Turkey

By Hasan Namli

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) - Four PKK terrorists were "neutralized" during an anti-terror operation in southeastern province of Diyarbakir, security sources said on Thursday.

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

According to the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to media, gendarmerie forces raided a house in the Lice district to apprehend the terrorists.

The terrorists, attempting to flee by a vehicle, disobeyed warnings to stop and opened fire on security forces, the sources said.

A senior PKK member Murat Ucer -- codename Eylul -- was among those neutralized. He was on the Interior Ministry's most wanted list.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015.

Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including a number of women and children.