UPDATE - Turkey: 3 soldiers martyred, 3 terrorists neutralized

UPDATES WITH 3 SOLDIERS MARTYRED; CHANGES LEAD, HEADING, DECK

By Muhammed Ali Toruntay and Muhammed Boztepe

ANKARA (AA) - Three PKK terrorists were neutralized on Sunday in Turkey's eastern Hakkari province, in an operation in which three Turkish soldiers were martyred, the country's Interior Ministry said.

Turkish Gendarmerie forces and Turkish Armed Forces carried out counter-terrorism operations in rural areas of Hakkari, the ministry said in a written statement.

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 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 death of some 40,000 people, including women and children.

*Writing by Dilara Hamit