Turkey: 36 terrorists 'neutralized' over past week

By Sertac Bulur

ANKARA (AA) - At least 36 PKK terrorists have been "neutralized" as part of anti-terror operations across Turkey over the past week, the Interior Ministry said in a statement 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 ministry said the Turkish Armed Forces carried out 1,994 counter-terror operations on July 23-30 in ground raids and air strikes.

The ministry said 18 of the terrorists were killed, six others were captured, and 12 surrendered to authorities.

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 death of some 40,000 people, including women and children.