UPDATE - 3 terrorists 'neutralized' in southeast Turkey

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

By Jeyhun Aliyev

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces "neutralized" three terrorists in the country’s southeastern Hakkari province, the Interior Ministry said on Monday.

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

The armed terrorists were neutralized by provincial Gendarmerie Command in rural Hakkari -- bordering Iraq -- in internal security operations, the statement said.

Operations are ongoing in the region, it added.

Meanwhile, the provincial governor's office said in a statement that the terrorists were identified as being among the perpetrators who martyred a total of three Turkish security personnel on June 1 and June 29.

The statement said gendarmerie forces continue actions against the PKK/KCK terror group activities.

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