UPDATE- Turkish army ‘neutralizes’ 4 PKK terrorists

UPDATES WITH MORE NEUTRALIZED; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE ACCORDINGLY

By Haydar Toprakci and Ekrem Payan

SIRNAK/TUNCELI, Turkey (AA) - At least four terrorists who were plotting terror attacks were "neutralized" in Turkey's eastern and southeastern provinces, local authorities and security sources said on Thursday.

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

In a statement by the governor’s office of eastern Tunceli province, two terrorists were neutralized in counter-terrorism operation held in the rural areas of Mazgirt district by provincial gendarmerie forces.

The statement by the governor’s office did not specify the terror groups involved but Turkey is embroiled in a long-running struggle against the PKK terror group in the area.

Separately, two PKK terrorists were also "neutralized" in southeastern Sirnak province, said security sources who asked to remain anonymous due to media restrictions.

Out of the two terrorists, one was captured alive while the other was killed during the operation. The captured terrorist was identified to be an Iranian national and responsible of terrorist group's Farasin region.

Operations in the region are ongoing, the sources said.

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.