Turkey: Wanted PKK terrorist neutralized in east

By Sener Toktas

BITLIS, Turkey (AA) - A wanted PKK terrorist has been neutralized in eastern Bitlis province, its governorship said Wednesday.

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

In a written statement, the governorship said the terrorist was identified as Serif Yakut, codenamed Ali Piling, and was neutralized Monday in an operation carried out by the provincial gendarmerie command in Kayadag village.

The terrorist was in the red category of the Interior Ministry's wanted list, the statement said, adding he was sought with a 4 million Turkish lira (around $686,112) bounty on his head.

Turkey's wanted list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red being most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange and gray.

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 women and children.

*Writing by Faruk Zorlu