UPDATE - 3 PKK terrorists neutralized in southeastern Turkey

UPDATES WITH NUMBER OF TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Hasan Namli

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) - Security forces neutralized three PKK terrorists during an anti-terror operation in southeastern Turkey, officials said on Monday.

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

According to the Diyarbakir Governorate, the gendarmerie neutralized two terrorists in operations in Sur and Yenisehir districts.

The terrorists were identified only by initials, S.S., code-named Vekil, and Y.E., code-named Ferhat.

Earlier, the Interior Ministry said a police operation neutralized Firat Simdi, a terrorist code-named Roger, in Artuklu, Mardin, another southeastern province.

Counter-terrorism operations are ongoing.

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

*Hamdi Celikbas in Ankara contributed this story