ANKARA

Turkish security forces have “neutralized” two PKK terrorists as part of a counter-terrorism operations in eastern Turkey, the country’s Interior Ministry said Saturday.

The gendarmerie forces targeted terrorists in a rural area of Tunceli province, the ministry said in a statement.

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 statement did not mention any specific terrorist group but Turkey has long been conducting operations against the PKK terror group in the region.

The operation continued in the region, it added.

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 nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.