Turkey 'neutralizes' 2 terrorists in southeast province

By Sefa Sahin and Yilmaz Kazandioglu

ANKARA (AA) - At least two PKK terrorists have been "neutralized" during a counter-terrorism operation in southeastern Batman province, according to Turkish General Staff Sunday.

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

In a statement, Turkish General Staff said: "Two PKK terrorists were neutralized during a counterterrorism operation in southeastern Batman province’s Hasankeyf district.”

Turkish forces also destroyed 28 improvised explosives with high destructive capacity planted by PKK terrorists in southeastern Diyarbakir, Bitlis, Mardin and Hakkari provinces, military said.

The anti-terror raids aim to prevent border crossing of PKK terrorists.

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.