Wanted PKK terrorist among 2 neutralized in Turkey

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - One of two PKK terrorists recently "neutralized" in southeastern Turkey was found to be on the country's wanted list, the Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.

Identified as Aydin Simsek and codenamed Agit Bismil, the terrorist was responsible for the injury and killing of many of civilians since 2018 and was wanted in the red category by authorities with a bounty of up to 10 million Turkish liras ($1.2 million), the ministry said on Twitter.

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

The terrorists were neutralized in the Lice district of Diyarbakir province as part of internal security operations following the reports from Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT), it added.

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

In its more than 35-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 at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.