5 terrorists 'neutralized' in eastern Turkey

By Muhammed Boztepe

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces "neutralized" five terrorists in the country’s east on Wednesday, the Interior Ministry said.

The air-assisted counter-terrorism operation was carried out by the gendarmerie forces in the eastern Tunceli province, the ministry said on Twitter.

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

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

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, children and infants.