UPDATE - Wanted PKK terrorist among neutralized in Turkey

UPDATES WITH OPERATION IN HAKKARI PROVINCE

By Orhan Onur Gemici and Yilmaz Kazandioglu

ANKARA/HAKKARI, Turkey (AA) - Turkish security sources “neutralized” three terrorists, including one wanted by security forces, in the country’s east, according to official statements on Friday.

A provincial gendarmerie forces team neutralized three terrorists in Ovacik district of Tunceli province, the Interior Ministry said.

Among the terrorists was Osman Isleyen, codenamed Arges, a PKK terrorist who is on the Interior Ministry’s wanted terrorists list, the ministry said.

Isleyen had a 500,000 Turkish liras ($73,300) bounty on his head, it added.

Operations continue in the region.

Separately, gendarmerie forces neutralized three more PKK terrorists, who attacked laborers in the Cukurca district of southeastern Hakkari province on Thursday, said Idris Akbiyik, the provincial governor.

Two laborers were slightly injured due to the attack, Akbiyik added.

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 US and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including many women, children, and infants.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar