5 PKK terrorists killed in SE Turkey operation

ANKARA (AA) - Five PKK terrorists were killed during a military operation in southeastern Sirnak province Tuesday, Turkish army said Wednesday.

In a statement, Turkish General Staff said security forces "neutralized five members of the terrorist [PKK] organization in an ongoing operation."

"Thus, the number of terrorists neutralized so far [in Sirnak] came to 486. During the operation, one Kalashnikov rifle, 526 cartridges, 6 rocket-propelled grenade ammunitions, four hand-held grenades, and two radios ... were seized," the statement added.

According to the army, two PKK terrorists also surrendered in Tuesday's operation, while 26 improvised explosive devices were also destroyed.

Separately Tuesday, two terrorists surrendered to security forces in Hakkari and Sanliurfa provinces in southeast Turkey, the army added.

The PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU – resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015.

Since then, more than 500 security personnel, including troops, police officers, and village guards, have been martyred and over 4,900 PKK terrorists killed in operations across Turkey and northern Iraq.