16 PKK terrorists killed in 1 week in Turkey

By Cankut Tasdan and Sertac Bulur

ANKARA (AA) - Sixteen PKK terrorists were killed and over 650 suspects were arrested during security operations across Turkey last week, according to the Interior Ministry on Monday.

A total of 227 people suspected of aiding and abetting the PKK were arrested; eight terrorists were captured while 14 others surrendered to security forces in 632 counter-terrorism operations between June 5 and Monday, the ministry said in a statement.

The operations were carried out in eastern Agri, Kars, Bingol, southeastern Hakkari, Sirnak, Diyarbakir and northern Tokat provinces.

Moreover, 39 shelters said to be used by PKK terrorists and 27 improvised explosives devices were also destroyed.

Security officials also seized 1,000 kilograms (2,204 pounds) of bomb-making material, 274 hand grenades; 86 weapons, including heavy and long-barreled guns; 3,509 kilograms (7,706 pounds) of hashish, 1,142 kilograms (2,517 pounds) of heroin, 7,576 opiates and 37,584 liters of smuggled oil last week.

More than 1,200 people, including security personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its decades-long armed campaign in July 2015.

Also, 386 suspects with links to Fetullah Terrorist Organization, 39 with Daesh terror group and 12 others with a leftist terrorist organization were also arrested during the operations.

According to Turkey’s government, FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.