UPDATES WITH NUMBER OF NEUTRALIZED TERRORISTS
By Burak Dag and Orhan Onur Gemici
ANKARA (AA) - At least four PKK terrorists were neutralized on Friday in eastern Turkey, according to the Turkish Interior Ministry.
The terrorists were “neutralized” in a joint operation, carried out by provincial gendarmerie and police forces in the Tutak district of Agri province, the ministry said in a statement.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in statements to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.
The ministry added that the operation is still underway.
Earlier, three other PKK terrorists surrendered to Turkish security forces, the National Defense Ministry said on Friday.
“Three PKK terrorists who escaped from the shelter areas in northern Iraq surrendered to our security forces in Silopi,” a district in Turkey’s southeastern Sirnak province, the ministry said on Twitter.
PKK terrorists continue to surrender as a result of decisive operations of the Turkish Armed Forces, it added.
PKK terrorists often use northern Iraq as a base to plan cross-border terrorist attacks on Turkey.
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.