Wanted PKK terrorist among 'neutralized' in Turkey

By Yasemin Kalyoncuoglu

ANKARA (AA) – Among terrorists neutralized last month in eastern Turkey was a wanted PKK member, Turkish authorities announced on Thursday.

The Interior Ministry said in a written statement that terrorist Musa Bulan -- codenamed Avares -- was neutralized in the eastern Van province on June 28 along with two others.

Bulan was on the gray category of the Interior Ministry's wanted terrorists list with up to a 500,000 Turkish liras (nearly $73,000) bounty on his head.

Meyri Kaplan, codenamed Sarya, and Besna Tuman, codenamed Vejin, were the other two PKK terrorists who were also among the perpetrators of a terrorist attack on June 8 which left two people martyred.

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

Turkish authorities often use the word “neutralized" in statements to imply the terrorists in question 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 some 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan