Two terrorists ‘neutralized’ in southeast Turkey

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces "neutralized" two terrorists in southeastern Diyarbakir province, the Interior Ministry said late Tuesday.

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

The terrorists were neutralized with their weapons by provincial gendarmerie forces in a rural area of Lice district amid internal security operations, the statement said.

Operations are ongoing in the region, it added.

Though the statement did not mention a specific terrorist group, Turkey has long been conducting operations against the PKK terrorist organization 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 some 40,000 people, including women and children.