2 terrorists neutralized in eastern Turkey

TUNCELI, Turkey

Turkish security forces "neutralized" at least two terrorists in the country’s eastern province of Tunceli, the Interior Ministry said Tuesday

The armed terrorists were targeted in an air-backed operation by the provincial gendarmerie command in rural areas of the Ahpanos Valley as part of Operation Yildirim-4, the ministry said in a statement.

The terrorists' affiliation was not mentioned, but the PKK and the Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist-Leninist (TKP/ML) terror groups have been active in the region.

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

This summer, Turkey launched a series of security operations to neutralize terrorists believed to be hiding in the 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 Ahmet Gencturk