2 wanted PKK terrorists neutralized in eastern Turkey

ANKARA

Two wanted PKK terrorists were neutralized this week in eastern Turkey, the Turkish Interior Ministry said on Thursday.

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 first terrorist, one of three neutralized in an operation in Tunceli, was identified as Mehmet Fatih Demir, codenamed Mahsun. He was neutralized in an operation by Turkish Gendarmerie forces on Wednesday, the ministry said.

Demir had a bounty of 300,000 Turkish liras ($41,500) on his head, it added.

In a separate operation in the eastern Agri province, wanted terrorist Ozer Ince, codenamed Piro Serhat, was "neutralized" by the Turkish Gendarmerie, the ministry said.

Ince, one of three terrorists neutralized in the operation this Tuesday, was on the Interior Ministry's list with a bounty of 500,000 Turkish liras ($69,000).

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including many women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian branch.

* Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur