Wanted PKK terrorist among 3 neutralized in Turkey

By Muhammed Nuri Erdogan

ANKARA (AA) - One of three PKK terrorists “neutralized” on Jan. 10-11 was found to be in the Turkish Interior Ministry’s wanted list.

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

In a statement, the Interior Ministry said one of the terrorists was identified as Kurban Pehlivan, codenamed Poyraz Bulanik, who was allegedly responsible for PKK's actions within Bitlis region and was in the orange category of the ministry’s wanted list with a bounty of 1 million liras ($135,500).

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

The three terrorists were neutralized in a joint operation conducted by the gendarmerie, Air Force personnel and commando troops using an armed unmanned aerial vehicle.

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 some 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

* Writing by Dilan Pamuk in Ankara​​​​​​​