Wanted PKK terrorist neutralized in SE Turkey

By Muhammed Boztepe

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish counter-terrorist forces neutralized another wanted PKK terrorist in Turkey’s southeast, the Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.

Among five terrorists neutralized in the southeastern Diyarbakir province, one was revealed to be Felat Kocakaya, on the ministry’s official terrorist wanted list.

Neutralized in the operation in the Lice district, Kocakaya -- codenamed Rizgar Torhildan -- was sought with a 300,000 Turkish lira ($51,654) bounty on his head, said a ministry statement.

Another terrorist neutralized in the same operation was identified as Yusuf Kayran, codenamed Zinar Akro.

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 U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.