ANKARA

Turkish security forces "neutralized" two PKK terrorists in the country’s southeast, the Interior Ministry said on Friday.

The terrorists were neutralized by the provincial gendarmerie command in an air-backed anti-terror operation in the Besta district of Sirnak province, the ministry said in a statement.

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

The operation is ongoing in the region.

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

* Writing by Seda Sevencan