55 PKK terrorists killed in southeastern Turkey

By Aykut Karadag

ANKARA

Fifty-five PKK terrorists were killed in counterterrorism operations in southeastern Turkey over the last week, according to military figures released on Friday.

The operations were conducted in the southeastern provinces of Sirnak, Hakkari, Mardin, Diyarbakir, Bitlis and Agri between July 20 and 27, a statement read.

Twenty-one firearms -- 19 infantry rifles, one machine gun and a sniper rifle – were found. Twenty kilograms of explosives, over 2,000 kg of ammonium nitrate, 54 hand grenades and over 3,000 round of ammunition were seized.

Raids saw 18 shelters used by terrorists destroyed.

Separately, in Turkey’s eastern Van province, a vehicle loaded with explosives was destroyed.

PKK sources of income were also hit by the raids. Over 7,000 cannabis plants, 50 kg of other illegal drugs and over 15,000 packets of smuggled cigarettes were found, according to the military.