ANKARA

Security forces "neutralized" at least four armed terrorists in eastern Turkey, the Interior Ministry said on Monday.

As part of Operation Yildirim-11 the terrorists were targeted by the provincial gendarmerie command in Siirt province, the ministry said in a statement.

Two separate operations were carried out around the Mt. Herekol region in the Perveri district, it added.

The ministry said the operation is ongoing in the region.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

This summer, Turkey launched a series of security operations to neutralize terrorists believed to be hiding out in the country's east and southeast.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the US and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar