Wanted terrorists 'neutralized' in Turkey's east

By Muhammed Boztepe

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces “neutralized” four terrorists, including wanted terrorists, in a counterterrorism operation in the country’s east, according to the Turkish Interior Ministry 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.

The operations took place on July 21 in Bingol’s Yedisu district, the ministry said in a statement.

The terrorists included Sevin, codenamed Hulya Kul, who is in the blue category of the Interior Ministry's wanted list, the statement said, adding she was sought with 1. 5 million Turkish lira (around $264,000) bounty on her head.

The other terrorist was Bahoz Velat, codenamed Cihan Akalin, who was in the gray category of the Interior Ministry's wanted list. Akalin was sought with 300,000 Turkish liras (around $53,000) bounty on his head.

Meanwhile, two terrorists, one of them is in the gray category of the Interior Ministry's wanted list, were “neutralized” in eastern Van province.

The 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 nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

* Writing by Zehra Nur Duz