Two terrorists neutralized in eastern Turkey

By Hamdi Celikbas

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces neutralized two terrorists during an operation in eastern Turkey, the Interior Ministry said Thursday.

The ministry said in a statement that the provincial Gendarmerie Command and Provincial Security Directorate carried out an operation against terrorists as part of efforts to ensure domestic security in Gurpinar district of Van province.

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

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

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 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.