ANKARA

Turkey neutralized 109 PKK terrorists in operations across 12 provinces to thwart their planned winter offensive, the country’s Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.

During the operations, PKK's so-called senior executives were also neutralized, the ministry said in a statement.

Also, recruitment in the terror group has fallen drastically with many members fleeing their clutches, it added.

The number of PKK terrorists within the borders of Turkey has fallen below 500, the statement went on to say.

A large amount of ammunition was seized and weapon emplacements and shelters destroyed by the Turkish forces.

Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralized" in statements to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

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 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The terrorist YPG is the PKK's Syrian branch.

*Writing byBusra Nur Bilgic Cakmak