Operation in E.Turkey kills at least 5 PKK terrorists

ANKARA (AA) - At least five PKK terrorists were killed during counter-terrorism operations in Turkey’s eastern Van province on Saturday, the Turkish army said.

According to a Sunday statement by the Turkish General Staff, the major operation also targeted the eastern Tunceli and Siirt provinces as well as the southeastern Hakkari, Sirnak, and Diyarbakir provinces.

During the operations, security forces seized a large amount of weapons and ammunition, including bazookas, improvised explosive devices, grenades, cartridges, long-barrel weapons, binoculars, and organizational documents.

One other PKK terrorist surrendered to Turkish officials in the Diyarbakir province’s Hazro district, according to the statement.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015 and since then has been responsible for the deaths of approximately 1,200 security personnel and civilians, including women and children.

According to the military, almost 10,000 terrorists have been neutralized in air and land operations since July 23, 2015. More than 7,000 of these terrorists were killed while the rest were wounded, captured or surrendered.

Many terrorists were also apprehended or surrendered.