6 terrorists 'neutralized' in eastern Turkey: Interior Ministry

By Zehra Nur Duz

ANKARA (AA) - At least six terrorists were "neutralized" in a domestic anti-terror operation in eastern Turkey, the Interior Ministry said on Thursday.

The ministry said in a statement that the armed terrorists were targeted Monday by local gendarmerie forces during Operation Eren Winter-7 in a rural area of the Bitlis province.

Two wanted terrorists were also among those neutralized, according to the ministry. Turkish authorities use the term neutralized in statements to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

Leyla Seyho, codenamed Baharin Afrin, was one of the terrorists who acted as the so-called person in charge of the terror group's activities in rural Bitlis. She was on the Interior Ministry's wanted list with a reward of up to 2 million Turkish liras ($166,680).

Erhan Mingsar, codenamed Sores Kars Roni, another terrorist neutralized in the operation, was also on the Interior Ministry's wanted list, with a reward of 1 million Turkish liras ($83,340).

Mingsar was among the perpetrators of a terrorist attack in Bitlis on June 1 in which a Turkish soldier and a security guard were killed.

This year, Turkey initiated Operation Eren, named after Eren Bulbul, a 15-year-old killed by the terrorist group on Aug. 11, 2017.

The latest action is aimed at eliminating PKK terrorists who have taken shelter in the region.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.