2 PKK terrorists neutralized on Turkey’s wanted list

By Davut Demircan

ANKARA (AA) – Neutralized in a domestic anti-terror operation in July, two PKK terrorists were revealed to be on Turkey’s most-wanted list, the Interior Ministry said on Thursday.

Hejar Celik, codenamed Numan Batman, and Ishak Ozcaktu, codenamed Erhan Garzan Porsipi, were among five terrorists neutralized in an air-backed operation in the eastern Diyarbakir province on July 19.

The two terrorists -- listed on the red category naming most-wanted of the Interior Ministry -- were sought with 4 million Turkish liras ($696,360) bounty on their head each.

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 EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including many women, children, and infants.