Turkey neutralizes 2 terrorists in Erzincan province

By Baris Yalcinkaya and Muhammed Nuri Erdogan

ANKARA/ERZİNCAN, Turkey (AA) - Turkish security forces neutralized two terrorists in a counter-terrorism operation in the eastern Turkey, the country's Interior Ministry announced on Tuesday.

On Monday, the ministry had informed about the neutralization of one armed terrorist, in the same area.

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

The armed terrorists were targeted by the Gendarmerie force -- an armed law enforcement organization -- in rural areas of Kemah district of eastern Erzincan province, the ministry said in a statement.

Governor of Erzincan, Ali Arslantas told Anadolu Agency that operations are continuing in the Acemoglu area of Kemah district.

He confirmed the neutralization of three terrorists during the operation, since Monday.

An armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has also been deployed, to support the operations, the governor said.

"Our operations in the region will continue with determination," Arslantas said.

Counter-terrorism operations in this region generally target PKK terrorists.

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

* Writing by Jeyhun Aliyev