Wanted terrorist among 3 neutralized in SE Turkey

By Baris Gundogan

ANKARA (AA) - One out of three terrorists neutralized in southeastern Turkey late September was identified to be on the country's wanted list, according to Turkey's Interior Ministry on Wednesday.

The ministry said in a statement that on Sept. 29, provincial gendarmerie forces conducted an operation as part of domestic security measures in Baykan district of Siirt province.

Osman Ekinci, codenamed Berhem, was neutralized in the operation along with two other terrorists.

Ekinci was on the wanted terrorists list of the Interior Ministry with gray code and with a bounty of 300,000 Turkish liras ($52,338) on his head.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

The ministry added that Ekinci was among the terrorists who carried out a bomb attack targeting the car of district governor in 2017.

The wanted list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the 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 EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

*With contributions and writing by Sena Guler