UPDATE - Turkey: Wanted terrorist among neutralized in operation

UPDATES WITH INFORMATION ON ADDITIONAL TERRORIST IN SOUTHEASTERN SIRNAK PROVINCE

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - Among terrorists neutralized last month in eastern Turkey was one wanted by Turkish security forces, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.

An anti-terror operation in the eastern Bingol province neutralized four terrorists on July 20.

Sezer Isik, codenamed Kawa, was a PKK terrorist who was on the Interior Ministry’s wanted list and among those neutralized in the operation in the Karliova district last month.

An additional terrorist, who wounded Turkish military personnel in southeastern Sirnak province, was also neutralized on July 28 in a joint operation by gendarmerie and intelligence forces.

Isik was listed in the grey category and sought with a bounty of 300,000 Turkish liras (roughly $54,500) on his head.

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

The wanted list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange and gray.

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

* Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this story from Ankara