Wanted PKK terrorists neutralized in Turkey

By Selma Kasap

ANKARA (AA) - Four wanted PKK terrorists were neutralized in the last two-days in the eastern province of Tunceli, Turkey's Interior Ministry said on Monday.

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 a written statement, the ministry said that one terrorist was in the orange category whereas others were in grey category and they were neutralized by provincial gendarmerie command in a security operation in the countryside.

One terrorist, identified as Cihan Celebi, code-named Hakki Cemisgezek, was in the orange category of the Interior Ministry's wanted list, the statement said, adding that he was sought with a 600,000 Turkish lira (around $103,000) bounty on his head.

Three other terrorists were in the grey category and identified as Mazlum Atar -- codenamed Sidar --, Mahmut Alinbay -- codenamed Adnan Piro and Abdulkerim Avras -- codenamed Rizgar.

They were sought with a 300,000 Turkish lira ($51,000) bounty on their heads, the statement added.

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

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.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar